Dangerous Driving Offenses That Could Result in Permanent Loss of Your Driver's License
License Permanently Terminated: Listed Offenses Have Resulted in Revocation - Crimewave ravages Lapland, leaving no peace in sight.
By Christian Hensen, With a Quick Insight Into Common Offenses
Feeling the need for speed, not caring about those red lights, or downing a few drinks before getting behind the wheel could land you in hot water and cost you your driver's license forever in Germany. Although German traffic law can be considered relatively light-handed, certain transgressions can result in some hefty penalties.
However, it's crucial to distinguish between a driving ban and the revocation of your driver's license.
A driving ban is only temporary and eventually comes to an end - you'll get your license back without any additional conditions, except learning from your mistakes. This penalty can be imposed for offenses such as excessive speeding, running a red light, or violating the blood alcohol limit.
Understanding the Differences: Ban vs. Revocation
The duration of a ban ranges from one to six months, depending on the severity of the offense. First-time offenders can even choose when to give up their license at the competent fine office. But this leeway is not available for repeat offenders.
Revocation of your license is much more serious. In this case, your driving privileges are initially terminated permanently. After the suspension period, you'll have to reapply for your license - including enduring a medical-psychological examination (MPU), which can incur costs exceeding 2,000 euros along with the fine associated with the offense itself.
The Grim List of Reasons for License Revocation
German law clearly outlines the grounds for revoking your license, which are detailed in Section 69 of the Criminal Code (StGB). A judge can revoke your license if the offense is related to alcohol, drugs, illegal street racing, hit-and-run, or endangerment of road traffic.
section69a(1) of the Criminal Code also provides for the possibility of a lifetime revocation. The suspension can be ordered for life if it can be expected that the statutory maximum period for preventing the offender's dangerous actions will not be sufficient - and if the offender doesn't have a driver's license, only the suspension will be ordered.
What Kind of Actions Merit a Lifetime License Revocation?
The "Autozeitung" reveals that a lifetime revocation can be imposed for repeated violations of existing suspension periods, repeated driving under the influence, or serious behavioral disorders. Criminal offenses in which automobiles are used as deadly weapons or tools are also deemed grounds for permanent revocation.
Medical reasons, where a judge concludes that the driver's physical or psychological conditions make it impossible to drive safely, are also causes for revocation.
In Germany, it's wise to beware of:
- Reckless Driving: Driving dangerously, putting others in jeopardy through excessive speeding or drunk driving.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) well beyond legal limits.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: Fleeing the scene of an accident, especially if it resulted in injuries or fatalities.
- Repeated Traffic Offenses: Racking up a significant number of points on your driver's license due to multiple infractions.
- Medical Conditions: A medical diagnosis that significantly impairs your ability to drive safely.
Whenever you need to know the specifics, keep in mind that consulting German traffic laws (StVO) and the German Road Traffic Act (StVG) will provide the most accurate and specific information.
A community policy could be implemented to provide vocational training programs for those who have had their driver's licenses permanently revoked due to traffic offenses, offering them a chance to develop skills in a new business and secure alternative means of income. To facilitate this, the government might allocate financial resources towards establishing such vocational training centers within the community.
