Illegal lowering, exhaust system, chip tuning & Co.? These fines threaten!

Reading time 9 Min.

Recently updated on December 30, 2020 at 11:53 am

As we all know, it can have serious consequences if you have not had a change to the vehicle approved by a test center or if you are driving without a ABE. So you almost always drive without a valid operating license. This can result in a fine, points, a driving ban and, in the worst case, even a prison sentence. The General operating permit (ABE) is usually issued by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) and should be a component like a small one spoiler, a window tint or a Shade at top attach. The ABE must then be carried in the car and, in the event of an inspection, serves as proof that all guidelines and regulations for public road traffic are still met with the additional components. A rough Overview to You can find “proper tuning” here.

We also have a large overview of the tuning of the headlights!

If the component is only accompanied by an appraisal, then this must be used to ensure that it is immediately entered in the vehicle documents by a checkpoint to cause. The submission of the parts certificate to a police check or to the main inspection is not sufficient. The following information should explain how driving according to the catalog of fines is handled without an operating license and what can happen if the component is found to be used illegally during a check. However, we assume no liability for the correctness.

1. illegal lowering
2. impermissible exhaust system
3. prohibited headlight tuning (more info)
4. inadmissible tinting of the panes
5. impermissible attachments
6. impermissible increase in performance
7. illegal emoji car display
8. impermissible rims / tires
9. impermissible foiling / painting
10. prohibited sports seats / belts
11. prohibited license plate pinball used
12. Penalties if there is no operating license 

Lowering fines

The deeper the car, the faster you can make tight turns, right? Not really! And often the public transport routes are not designed for extremely low-lying cars. There are bumps, bumps, potholes and curbs. Sitting on it can lead to serious damage to the vehicle and accidents. You have to pay attention to the legal regulations Lowering to adhere to. If you do not do this, the following fines are due according to the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). (Back to overview)

Fines too loud exhaust

Changes to the exhaust, even only on DB Killer / DB Eater, can quickly lead to police sanctions. Changes can be made to the silencers, whether on the tailpipe or the catalytic converter, but how high are the sanctions if something is not correct? Is the sports catalytic converter not allowed? Is the entire system maybe too loud? Or became a forbidden one sound generator or even one Kat dummy installed? These are the punishments. (Back to overview)

Description	Strafe	Points
Nuisance from unnecessary Noise and exhaust gases	80 €
Absence of ABE or type approval	10 €
Exhaust shows sideways / to the rear hiaus over the edge of the vehicle	20 €
Driving without approval	50 €
Dimensions exceeded	60 €	1
Driving without a catalytic converter	Fine + Tax procedure

All statements without guarantee

Fines illegal headlight tuning

In Germany, we do not have a general obligation to drive with lights on during the day, therefore existing daytime running lights can be used as desired, but misuse of the daytime running lights is not permitted. And changes to other lights on the vehicle are almost always illegal. The requirements of Paragraphs 49a to 54, 60 of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) must be followed and the European regulations must be observed. Underbody lighting that is active while driving, LED Stripes Am or Im Headlights or painted (glazed) and foiled headlights are not allowed, for example. That even applies to simple ones Brake light stickersystem. (Back to overview)

Fines illegal tinting of the panes

If the modifications to the vehicle result in the driver's field of vision being restricted too much, a police check can mean a fine of at least 10 euros. Because if the driver cannot fully view the surroundings, the safety of vehicle passengers and other road users is at risk. The front side windows and the windscreen in particular must therefore be kept clear. Of the Shade at top is subject to exact criteria and the Window tinting sideways in front is usually illegal and only in a few cases by means of a medical certificate special permission allowed. The windshield, however, must not be tinted at all, apart from a few centimeters. (Back to overview)

Description	Strafe	Points
Driving at too low visibility	10 €
type approval not available / included	10 €
Vehicle not according to regulations	25 €
traffic safety impaired	90 €	1

All statements without guarantee

Fines illegal attachments outside

The body of vehicles is designed so that in the event of an accident involving a pedestrian or cyclist, the victim suffers as little damage as possible. Therefore, there are many smooth surfaces and the manufacturers avoid sharp edges as much as possible in order to reduce serious injuries to passers-by. Therefore no sharp-edged spoilers and Attachments be installed that have no ABE or have an opinion modification acceptance to enable at a test center. (Back to overview)

Fines illegal performance increase

Tuning from the engine almost always aims to increase the performance of the vehicle. There are numerous variants and possibilities of the tuningbox and nitrous oxide engine. However, many are not approved for public road traffic. Possibilities for legal operation A performance increase is a variant with a general operating permit (ABE) or a general type approval (ABG) that the examiner can use for the registration. (Back to overview)

Description	Strafe	Points
Vehicle changed inadmissible and driven with it	25 €
By means of inadmissible Performance increase the Environmental impact	90 €
By means of inadmissible Performance increase the Road safety endangered	90 €	1

All statements without guarantee

Fines Emoji car display in the window

We already have it ourselves tried out and also on the punishments pointed. An active emoji car display in the window (no matter in which disc) is prohibited. In Germany, use is punishable under Section 49a of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). Because only the prescribed and the permitted lighting equipment may be installed on the car. The Emoji Car Display is clearly not one of them. And the displays do not count as part of the interior lighting when activated. At least not if they can be seen from the outside. According to the StVZO, interior lighting must not penetrate outside. (Back to overview)

Description	Strafe
KFZ has more Lighting facilities as prescribed installed	20 €

All statements without guarantee

Fines wrong rims / tires

When installing new rims, it is essential to ensure that they also match the vehicle and the permitted tire type. If this is not the case, the operating license can expire. LED rims are of course one impermissible Lighting device on the vehicle. Also one phosphorescent paint is prohibited. And a violation of the entered dimensions of the rims / tires can also be expensive. The rims must never protrude from the wheel edge of the vehicle. A violation can lead to the decommissioning of the vehicle and the expiry of the operating license. (Back to overview)

Description	Strafe	Points
Corresponds to the vehicle not the regulations	25 €
... thereby road safety impaired	90 €	1
Driving without a car approval	50 €
... thereby road safety impaired	90 €	1
exceeding the allowed dimensions	60 €	1

All statements without guarantee

Fines illegal foiling / painting

There is an express ban for the popular ones chromium films for example not. However, use is not permitted without hesitation, because it must work in accordance with Section 19 (2) of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations. Here it is decided in individual cases whether the film is suitable for road traffic or not. There must be no danger to road traffic. This is definitely the case with a vehicle that is fully foiled with reflective, silver or gold chrome foil. The strong reflection can temporarily make the car invisible to other drivers or extremely blind. (Back to overview)

Description	Strafe	Points
Endangering others Road users through the foiling	50 € - 90 €	1
Endangering others Road users through the foiling	individually Expire the approval

All statements without guarantee

Fines illegal sports seats / belts

Anyone who has installed a sports steering wheel in their vehicle that has no ABE or the necessary entry with the existing one Parts certificate / parts approval has not been carried out, he basically receives the penalties for changes not made outside from the vehicle there. This applies to seat rails that are not permitted, to sports seats that are not permitted and, of course, to modified seat belts. If an entry has not been made, the vehicle's operating license expires and it can still be decommissioned on the spot. Points and high penalties threaten. (Back to overview)

Fines for license plate flippers & co

If your car has a so-called Plate Flipper installed and he notices the police, then trouble is guaranteed. If the number plate folds down on request, or turns at the push of a button or even a blind moves in front of the license plate, then this is illegal. All three systems are PROHIBITED in road traffic, of course, and all others of this type! The license plate must not be changed. Not even a small one License plate sticker like a black Europe emblem or the logo of your favorite club. (Back to overview)