Germany doubles fines for intentional speeding and bans point‑trading scheme

German courts are treating repeated disregard of speed‑limit signs as intentional violation, allowing fines to be doubled. In a Castrop‑Rauxel case, a driver who exceeded 80 km/h by 68 % was fined €960 instead of the usual €480, with points and a driving ban retained.

Effective 1 July 2026, Germany has criminalised the “point‑trading” practice that let drivers avoid points in the Flensburg register by using paid proxies. Under the revised Road Traffic Act, participants can face fines up to €30,000, and the limitation period for traffic offenses has been extended from three to six months.

The measures aim to increase road safety by removing loopholes that let repeat offenders escape penalties and by signalling stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.