Vehicular Infractions to Avoid - Steep Penalties Imminent for Neglect - unlawful items in vehicles lead to hefty fines here
In Germany, driving a car requires a valid registration certificate and a driver's license, but motorists should also be aware of the strict regulations surrounding knife carriage in vehicles, according to the German Automobile Club (ADAC).
The ADAC highlights that certain types of knives are outright prohibited in cars unless there is a legitimate reason for possessing them. These restrictions are specific and strict, reflecting German weapons laws that regulate knife possession and transport in cars.
Key points from ADAC regarding knife carriage in vehicles:
- Some knives are categorically forbidden in cars, regardless of intent. These typically include switchblades, butterfly knives, and other knives with automatic or assisted opening mechanisms.
- Legitimate reasons (e.g., professional use, sport, hunting) must be demonstrated to legally carry some types of knives in a vehicle.
- Simply owning a forbidden knife in a car without a legitimate purpose can lead to fines or legal penalties.
- The laws focus on public safety and preventing illegal weapons possession in vehicles.
If you don't have a "legitimate interest", the knife must be in a lockable container. Removing the opening aid from such knives does not necessarily make them legal to carry. The ADAC states that carrying knives without a legitimate interest can result in fines, but the exact fine is not specified.
According to the ADAC, all one-handed knives and knives with a fixed blade over 12 centimeters, including softair pistols, are prohibited in Germany. A warning triangle and a warning vest are required in every car, along with a current, unexpired first aid kit.
The police are not allowed to search the car or open doors or reach into the vehicle during a general traffic check, unless there is imminent danger or a search warrant. However, a knife transported in the glove compartment can be considered easily accessible and thus violate the Weapons Act.
Motorists should be aware of these rules to avoid costly fines and legal trouble. Not all knives are banned, but the presence of particular prohibited types requires justifying their necessity to law enforcement.
Other things that should not be in the car include dangerous substances like explosives and many fireworks, large amounts of fuel outside the tank, certain chemicals, firearms, unsecured animals, and items that impair visibility or safety like large wooden planks.
[1] ADAC. (n.d.). Carrying knives in vehicles: What you should know. Retrieved from https://www.adac.de/reise/auto/sicherheit/waffen/messer-im-auto-was-du-wissen-muesstest-485134/
- The employment policy within the ADAC may prohibit certain employees from carrying specific knives, such as switchblades or knives with automatic opening mechanisms, due to the strict community policy regarding knife carriage in vehicles, which aligns with the broader German weapons laws in the industry of transportation.
- The finances incurred from improperly carrying knives in vehicles can be substantial, as non-compliance with the employment policy and community policy can lead to fines, and failure to provide a legitimate reason for knife possession could escalate to legal penalties, compromising the financial security of individuals in the transportation industry.
