Mask requirement in the car or is the mask prohibited?

Recently updated on November 14, 2020 at 08:44 am

The wearing of a mask or mouth-nose protection is currently required by law in many areas. At the same time, the question arises as to whether this regulation of mandatory masks is also binding when driving. There is also a need for clarification on the following point: Is it currently allowed to sit in the car with several people? This applies to people who do not live in their own household or who belong to their own family. The federal and state governments agreed that contacts outside of their own households should continue to be reduced to the bare minimum. The general minimum hygiene distance of 1,5 meters from other people continues to exist. However, there is no explicit explanation of how far it is permitted to drive a car with other people. This applies especially to the so-called car pool.

Minimum distance and cleanliness

However, one should keep in mind in this context that the required minimum distance of 1,5 meters in the vehicle cannot be maintained anyway. This is actually enough of a statement! The sufficient safety distance between driver and passenger would not really be feasible even in a luxury sedan. The Federal Ministry of the Interior comments as follows: Use of the vehicle is only permitted on its own or together with members of your own household. At the current time (05.2020), however, this has changed. With a decision of May 6, the federal and state governments stipulated that it is now also permitted to meet the people of another household in public space. We interpret this in such a way that at least a car pool with 3-4 people should be possible. If you wear a mask in the car if necessary and follow the hygiene rules and are demonstrably on the way to work, you should hardly expect a penalty.

Mouth and nose protection vs. Radar control

Since April 27.04.2020th, 23, the mask requirement due to the Corona crisis applies throughout Germany and thus in all federal states. Mouthguards must be worn in all shops, supermarkets and also on public transport. The respirator is mandatory. However, the regulation does not apply to private vehicles. If you voluntarily want to wear a face mask at the wheel, you have to pay attention to some things. The facial features must be recognizable, at least essentially. Paragraph 4, paragraph XNUMX of the Road Traffic Regulations stipulates that the driver's face must be recognizable. The face must neither be covered nor covered, so that it would no longer be possible to recognize it. The uncertainty is correspondingly large for some vehicle drivers. One wonders whether the respiratory mask can be worn at all? This is not a problem with common masks or with conventional mouthguards. If the mask covers the face too much, there is a fine of 60 euros. The general distance rules also apply at petrol stations, workshops and rest areas.

Are there fines for wearing a mouthguard?

It must be possible to identify the driver at any time during an inspection or when committing a crime (violation), for example a speed violation. In this way, the legislator wants to ensure that the driver can clearly identify the vehicle. At the moment, wearing a face mask is generally permitted. This is particularly necessary even if the minimum distance to the passenger cannot be maintained. Especially when there are other people in the car like in a taxi. The health motives are therefore more important than a so-called deliberate concealment of your own identity. However, wearing a face mask and sunglasses at the same time is not permitted. The decisive facial features could no longer be clearly recognized. Incidentally, the handling of commercially available masks is usually better than the self-sewn face mask. This is because the fit conforms to the norm and the mask doesn't slide too far into the face. In the event of an administrative offense committed, it must be possible to go through the regular fine procedure. If the driver is not correctly recognized and thus determined, the vehicle owner may be charged with a logbook requirement. At the moment, however, the authorities are still accommodating on this point. This applies above all to commercial trips and, of course, to the intensity of the crime.

the policemen often decide on the spot

Despite the corona virus pandemic, there is no license for drivers to wear protective masks. The police officers decide in individual cases whether wearing the respirator at the wheel is / was medically justified. Of course, protecting health is a top priority. However, if the police have indications that the masking of the face is used deliberately to commit various administrative offenses, a fine can be imposed. Basically, drivers are not allowed to cover their faces so that they are no longer recognizable. If it is certain that the eyes and forehead can be seen, then the driver can also be identified with a mask on the high-resolution flash images. If you are alone in the car, mouth and nose protection makes little sense; ie it is not necessary and there may be penalties. PS. And the mouth and nose protection shouldn't hang on the inside mirror either. Why? The information is available here!

Of course that had not been the case.

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