Germany will introduce several changes to its Road Traffic Act (Straßenverkehrsgesetz – StVG) from July 1, 2026. The reforms introduce new rules on penalty point fraud, extend the limitation period for traffic offences, establish a legal basis for digital parking enforcement, and lay the foundation for a future digital driving licence. While some measures will affect drivers immediately, others create the legal framework for future implementation.
One of the biggest changes is the ban on so-called "points trading" (Punktehandel). The practice involved another person falsely accepting responsibility for a traffic offence so that the actual offender could avoid receiving penalty points in Driving Aptitude Register (Flensburg), a driving ban or, in some cases, the loss of their driving licence. In some instances, commercial intermediaries offered these services for payment, exploiting a loophole in the existing rules.
From July 1, 2026, the Road Traffic Act explicitly prohibits these arrangements. Anyone who falsely accepts responsibility, brokers such an arrangement or commercially facilitates points trading can face substantial penalties. Depending on the circumstances, fines can reach up to €30,000. The reform is intended to close the legal loophole and ensure that penalty points are recorded against the person who actually committed the traffic offence.
Germany is extending the limitation period for prosecuting road traffic offences from three months to six months. Previously, authorities generally had three months to initiate proceedings before many offences became time-barred. From July 2026, that period doubles, giving authorities more time to investigate and process cases.
The amendment applies to road traffic administrative offences under the Road Traffic Act, including offences such as speeding and other violations that are dealt with through administrative fines. The longer limitation period is intended to reduce cases expiring because of administrative delays. For drivers, this means a fine notice may arrive several months after an offence and still be legally valid.
The amendment also establishes a legal framework for municipalities to use camera-equipped enforcement vehicles, commonly known as Scancars, to detect and document parking violations more efficiently. The vehicles can automatically record licence plates while carrying out parking inspections, helping authorities identify illegally parked vehicles more quickly.
The reform does not require every city to introduce Scancars. Instead, it gives municipalities the legal authority to use the technology if they decide to do so. Any deployment remains subject to applicable data protection requirements and local implementation decisions. As a result, drivers may see the technology introduced at different times depending on where they live.
Another important reform is the creation of the legal basis for Germany's future digital driving licence. The amendment allows authorities to develop a secure digital version of the existing driving licence that can be accessed through a smartphone application. The initiative forms part of Germany's wider effort to digitalise public services and simplify administrative procedures.
The legal framework takes effect on July 1, 2026, but motorists will not automatically receive a digital driving licence from that date. The digital version will be introduced only after the necessary technical infrastructure and official application have been completed. The existing physical driving licence will remain valid and will continue to be recognised. The digital licence is intended to complement, not replace, the traditional plastic card.
The July 2026 amendments introduce a combination of immediate enforcement changes and longer-term digital reforms. The most significant changes for drivers are the ban on points trading and the extension of the limitation period for traffic offences, both of which apply from July 1, 2026. Motorists should also be aware that municipalities can now choose to introduce Scancars for parking enforcement under the new legal framework.
Although the digital driving licence will not be available immediately, the legal groundwork has now been established for its future rollout. Together, these reforms update several provisions of Germany's Road Traffic Act, strengthen the enforcement of traffic laws and support the continued digitalisation of Germany's road traffic administration.
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