There are road traffic regulations to protect you from danger and to regulate order on the roads. If you violate these regulations, you may receive points under the so-called "driving aptitude assessment system". Colloquially, these points are referred to as "points in Flensburg", as the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) is based in Flensburg. The KBA keeps the driving aptitude register (FAER), the so-called traffic offender file, in which the points and any measures imposed are entered.

Depending on the severity of your offense, you will receive 1 to 3 points.

You will receive 3 points for serious violations of traffic regulations. These are regarded as criminal offenses. Your driver's license will be revoked immediately. This applies, for example, to

• grossly disorderly and reckless behavior
• illegal car racing
• driving despite heavy consumption of alcohol or drugs
• unauthorized removal from the scene of an accident

You will receive 2 points for criminal offenses and administrative offenses that are particularly detrimental to road safety. Your driver's license will not be confiscated immediately. For example

• not forming a rescue lane on the highway
• Exceeding the speed limit when visibility is less than 50 m due to fog, snowfall or rain

You will receive one point for administrative offenses that impair road safety. It is also possible that you may be fined for an offense but not receive a point.

If you commit several offenses or misdemeanors at the same time, only the one with the highest number of points will be taken into account. This also applies if you have a probationary driving license.

The competent authority in your federal state will take the following measures depending on the total number of points:

• If you have 4 or 5 points, you will receive a written warning.
• If you have 6 or 7 points, you will receive a written warning.
• If you have 8 or more points, you will be deemed unfit to drive a motor vehicle. Your driving license will be revoked for at least 6 months.

If you are cautioned or warned, you can voluntarily attend a driving fitness seminar.

If you attend voluntarily after a warning, one point will be deducted from your account. You can make use of this regulation once within 5 years.

If you attend voluntarily after a warning, no points will be deducted.

Participation in the driving aptitude seminar is mandatory if your driving license has been revoked and you wish to regain it.

The points will be erased after a certain period of time. The period is

• for one point: 2 years and 6 months
• for 2 points: 5 years
• for 3 points: 10 years

You can find out about the status of your points online, in writing or in person at the KBA.