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Driving in Germany? Then you have probably heard of the “points in Flensburg”. Driving licence penalty points are more than a statistic – they can lead to heavy fines, a driving ban (Fahrverbot), or the permanent withdrawal of your right to drive.
The problem is that many foreign drivers collect penalty points without knowing it, particularly if they move house and never receive the official notifications. They find out at a routine check that their licence has been suspended, by which point it is too late and they risk criminal proceedings.
This article explains everything you need to know about the Flensburg points system. You will find out:
- Which offences earn you driving licence penalty points, with concrete examples.
- What the critical thresholds are, and what happens at 5, 7 or 8 points,
- How you can remove a point, and when it is too late.
- How to check how many points you currently have.
What are the Flensburg penalty points and what counts?
The Flensburg penalty points system, run by the federal Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA), is how Germany monitors traffic offences. Every mistake, from speeding to using your phone at the wheel, can add points to your record.
These are the critical thresholds you need to know. Bear in mind that the German system is graduated and built on re-education, not only punishment.
An overview of the key points thresholds:
- 1–5 penalty points in Flensburg: You are in the warning zone. You can remove one point once every five years by attending a special course, the Fahreignungsseminar (FES). At first you can take this course voluntarily, but once you reach 4–5 points you receive a written warning (Ermahnung) informing you that the FES course can remove one point.
Are you in the Munich area? Let’s sort the points out together.
If you have collected up to 5 points and want to remove one through the FES course, get in touch. We can guide you through the whole process. See the contact details here.
- 6-7 penalty points in Flensburg: You are in the high-risk zone. You can still attend the FES course, but no points are removed. You receive a second written warning (Verwarnung). At this stage the authorities consider that you ignored the first warning and that you are a high-risk driver.
The purpose of the course is no longer to reduce points. Attending the FES now becomes evidence of good faith. By taking the course – even without a “reward” – you show the licensing authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) that you understand how serious the situation is, that you are actively trying to correct your behaviour, and that you want to avoid the eighth point, which costs you your licence.
Avoiding the MPU: If you reach 8 points and your licence is withdrawn, the authority will almost certainly require you to pass an MPU test to get it back – a subject for another article. That test is extremely difficult, expensive, and has a very high failure rate. Voluntarily attending an FES course at 6–7 points can count in your favour later, showing that you tried to put things right. - 8 penalty points in Flensburg: Game over. Your right to drive (Fahrerlaubnis) is withdrawn for at least six months, and getting it back usually requires passing a complex medical and psychological assessment, the MPU.
Whether you hold a foreign or a German licence, driving licence penalty points accumulate against your name.
Have you reached 8 points and are facing an MPU? Don’t panic – there’s a way out!
We know the prospect of an MPU test can feel overwhelming. It is a complex process, but you do not have to go through it alone. If you need a recommendation, or simply some advice, get in touch. We can put you in contact with the right person. See the contact details here.
Which offences earn you penalty points in Flensburg?
The German system is strict, and points are given for offences that put road safety at risk. Below are some of the most common mistakes and what they cost in driving licence penalty points. These figures are indicative and correct as of January 2026. Fines and, depending on severity, months of driving ban can be added on top.
🔴 1 penalty point in Flensburg – Common traffic violations
These are the most common mistakes and, although they look minor, the points add up quickly:
- Using your phone at the wheel – calls, messages, or any other use of the device.
- Speeding:
By 21–25 km/h in a built-up area,
Or by 26–30 km/h outside one. - Not keeping your distance – driving too close to the car in front, particularly on the motorway.
- Serious illegal parking – blocking cycle lanes or fire service access (Feuerwehrzufahrt) in a way that delays a firefighting response.
- Running a red light, where the light had been red for less than one second.
🔴🔴 2 penalty points in Flensburg – particularly serious offences
These apply to conduct that carries a high risk of causing an accident:
- Running a red light with obvious danger, where the light had been red for more than one second.
- Speeding well over the limit:
By more than 31 km/h in a built-up area,
Or more than 41 km/h outside one. - Driving under the influence of alcohol, between 0.5‰ and 1.09‰, without causing an accident.
- Dangerous overtaking in a no-overtaking zone or with restricted visibility.
🔴🔴🔴 3 penalty points in Flensburg – criminal offences (Straftaten)
These are the most serious situations, treated as criminal offences, and they mean a criminal case rather than just a fine. The penalty points are recorded only after a court decision:
- Drink driving with a blood alcohol level above 1.1‰.
- Leaving the scene of an accident (Fahrerflucht), even for a scratch in a car park.
- Negligent bodily harm (fahrlässige Körperverletzung) following an accident with injuries.
- Illegal street racing (illegale Kraftfahrzeugrennen).
Do Flensburg points expire?
Yes, automatically – but the periods are long, and they start from the date the offence was recorded, not the date you committed it.
- 1 point: after 2.5 years
- 2 points: after 5 years
- 3 points (criminal offence): after 10 years
Example: If you are caught using your phone while driving and receive 1 point, this point will be deleted from the Flensburg register 2.5 years after the entry was recorded.
How to find out how many penalty points you have
There are several ways to check your Flensburg record, each with its own advantages and drawbacks.
The classic method: directly through the KBA
By law, you can request a free extract directly from the KBA. The process is often slow and bureaucratic, however, and requires time, trips, certifications or special equipment. Your options:
- By post: Download the form from the KBA website (FAER section), fill it in and sign it, attach a copy of both sides of your identity document, and post everything to Flensburg. Alternatively, you can have your signature officially certified instead of sending an ID copy.
The address is: Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, 24932 Flensburg.
Processing normally takes one to three weeks, depending on demand. - Online (with a German ID card): The online route only works if you have a German ID card with the online function (eID) activated, its PIN, a special card reader (unless you have an NFC-capable phone) and dedicated software (AusweisApp2). The request is made through the official KBA portal, and if you meet the requirements it is processed electronically with a quick response.
- In person in Flensburg: You can go to the counter if you live nearby, and get your answer on the spot.
The address is Fördestraße 16, 24944 Flensburg.
Check the current opening hours on the official KBA website before travelling, but it is normally open Monday to Thursday from 07:00 to 16:00, and Friday from 07:00 to 14:00.
A faster alternative: using a lawyer service
Alongside the official KBA route, there are online services offered by lawyers and specialist firms which, for a fee (usually between €29 and €49), handle the whole process for you. It is quicker and more convenient, particularly if you do not have an active eID or do not want to send documents by post.
You complete a single online form in around two minutes, and the rest is handled by a professional. Within two to three working days you receive a PDF by email showing exactly how many penalty points you have, any driving bans (Fahrverbot), the current status of your right to drive, and the expiry date of each individual point.
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