Fahrverbot

Fahrverbot, in German traffic law, is a driving ban that prohibits the holder of a valid driver’s license from driving motor vehicles on public roads for a defined period. It is a penal measure used in criminal proceedings or in administrative offenses related to road traffic and can be imposed alongside fines or other penalties.

The sanction is typically ordered by a court as part of a criminal sentence for serious traffic offenses, such as dangerous driving or driving under the influence, or by a regulatory authority in the context of administrative offenses. A Fahrverbot can be issued as a standalone penalty or as part of a broader sanction package. It applies to all motor vehicles on public roads and does not generally target non-motorized transportation.

Enforcement and duration: When a Fahrverbot is imposed, the driving license is ordinarily surrendered to the competent authority for the duration of the ban, and the person is prohibited from driving any motor vehicle during that period. The length of the ban varies by offense and jurisdiction, commonly ranging from one to several months, and may be extended in certain circumstances. After the ban ends, the license can usually be reinstated, though reissuance procedures or conditions (such as re-testing) may apply in some cases.

Relation to other penalties: A Fahrverbot is distinct from Führerscheinentzug (license revocation). While a Fahrverbot temporarily prevents driving, it does not permanently revoke the license. In some cases, a court may impose both a Fahrverbot and other penalties, depending on the offense and the offender’s record.