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Christmas: What decorations are allowed on and in the car?

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Recently updated on September 23, 2023 at 05:57 am

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It's Christmas time again and in the dark season it's good to stay in the light as much as possible - if only for the sake of a good mood. But if you are now thinking of turning your car into a moving Christmas tree, you will be disappointed, because that is not allowed. In general, one can say that Christmas decorations are forbidden in and on the car. Maybe a little embellishment is in order?

Christmas: What decorations are allowed on and in the car?
Photo by Honey Fangs on Unsplash

Which Christmas decorations for the car?

Of course, for those of us who are real Christmas fans, restraint is hard. Real fans would prefer a steering wheel with a chain of lights, an Advent wreath on the rearview mirror, reindeer antlers on the car roof and a hat rack full of Christmas tree decorations.

All these things are often offered, for example, there are Advent decorations or Christmas LED light chains for the interior design Lidl brochure cheap to buy. However, according to Section 49a of the Road Traffic and Registration Regulations (StVZO), illuminated jewelry is prohibited in the car. Things that dangle from the rear-view mirror and could obstruct the driver's view are also not permitted - Section 23 of the StVZO applies here. If the car is stationary and safely parked, there is nothing wrong with decorating the car with fairy lights or other lighting. Christmas roses or Advent wreaths, which can be found cheaply at Lidl, can also be attached to the car.

Christmas: What decorations are allowed on and in the car?

Jewelry that can be affixed to the outside of the vehicle is only permitted for journeys made at less than 50 km/h. Branches, antlers and flashing fairy lights would therefore have to be removed on country roads and highways. Even when cruising slowly, the following applies: If the decoration tears off and causes an accident, the car insurance will not pay.

Nicholas at the wheel - that's going to be expensive!

If you're out and about on St. Nicholas Eve to amuse friends' children, it's best to stick on your beard at your destination first and leave the disguise in the trunk until then. The comprehensive insurance is lost if a false beard adorns the face (reason: negligence) and the clothing of a Santa Claus restricts freedom of movement and is therefore also prohibited.

What kind of Christmas decorations are allowed on and in the car?

Sticking on Christmas stickers is allowed as long as they do not interfere with the lights. A small (soft) star or similar on the antenna is allowed, but if it flies off and causes damage, there is a risk of a fine. If you are absolutely sure that there is no risk of your decoration coming off and endangering others or yourself, then you may place it in the car, provided that

  • the view is not impaired and
  • other drivers are not distracted.

But it's Christmas time. No cop is going to be super strict on enforcement and fine every Christmas tree that prancing on the glove box. Unless it lights up, because the legislation is very clear when it comes to illuminated decorations in and on the car. It is forbidden to distract other road users. The reflection of the lights in your own windows can also lead to a misjudgment of the road and/or traffic.

Christmas: What decorations are allowed on and in the car?

You can better live out your desire to decorate your surroundings for Christmas within your own four walls. This is the right place for fairy lights etc. If you pick up the Christmas tree and want to transport it by car, there are also a few rules to follow:

  • Strain forward and against the back of the seat
  • License plates and lights must not be covered
  • The tree must be secured with tension belts
  • Transport on the roof also secured by tension belts and with the lower end pointing in the direction of travel.

Christmas: What decorations are allowed on and in the car?

Of course, that wasn't the end of it.

tuningblog.eu has a lot of other articles on the subject of auto & tuning in stock. Do you want to see them all? Just click HERE and look around. But also planned changes in the law, violations in road traffic, current regulations in the field of STVO or on the subject inspection we would like to inform you regularly. Everything you can find in the category "Test sites, laws, offenses, information". Click on one of the following posts!

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Christmas: What decorations are allowed on and in the car?

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About Thomas Wachsmuth

Thomas Wachsmuth - He has been an integral part of tuningblog.eu since 2013. His passion for cars is so intense that he invests every available penny in them. While he dreams of a BMW E31 850CSI and a Hennessey 6x6 Ford F-150, he currently drives a rather inconspicuous BMW 540i (G31/LCI). His collection of books, magazines and brochures on the subject of car tuning has now reached such proportions that he himself has become a walking reference work for the tuning scene.  More about Thomas

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