Germany criminalizes point trading and clarifies speed camera rulings

Germany has implemented new legal measures to combat “point trading,” a practice where drivers pay others to take responsibility for traffic violations to avoid losing their licenses. As of July 1, 2026, this practice is criminalized and can result in fines of up to 30,000 euros. Previously, individuals could exploit a loophole by having a designated “proxy driver” falsely claim responsibility for speeding or red-light offenses, a method often facilitated by commercial agencies.

In a separate legal development, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has ruled that the absence of raw measurement data from speed cameras does not automatically violate the right to a fair trial. The decision follows a case in Saarland involving a mobile Vitronic PoliScan FM1 device. The court clarified that for standardized measurements conducted by trained officials using calibrated equipment, the measurement results remain valid evidence even if the device does not store raw data for technical re-verification.