Germany uses fixed speed cameras, mobile cameras, red light cameras and unmarked police cars that film from behind. There is no official camera warning sign. Radar detectors and camera-warning apps are illegal. Section control has only been used on one stretch of the B6 near Hanover, which was reported switched off in January 2024.
Warned by a sign
None
Not always warned
Fixed speed camera, Red light camera, Mobile camera, Unmarked camera car, Speed display, Other camera
Real photos, with where each one was taken and who took it.
Blitzer, Blitzersäule, Starenkasten
Looks like: Older units are a box with one or more lenses on a pole. Modern units are a grey column with three or more dark rings.
Catches: Speeding. Some also catch red light offences and tailgating.
Sometimes a sign warns of the camera, but you may see it too late.
Ampelblitzer, Rotlichtblitzer
Looks like: A camera box a few metres past the traffic light on the right, triggered by sensor loops set into the road surface. Some newer units give little or no visible flash.
Catches: Running a red light. Many also record speeding at the same time.
The first photo is taken at the stop line and the second as you cross the junction.
Mobiler Blitzer, Laserpistole
Looks like: A box with one or more lenses on a tripod or pole beside the road, a measuring device inside a parked car, or a police officer with a laser gun.
Catches: Speeding.
Zivilstreife mit ProViDa
Looks like: An ordinary-looking police car that follows you and records your speed on video.
Catches: Speeding and tailgating.
Police deduct 5 km/h, or 5 per cent above 100 km/h, from speeds measured this way.
Geschwindigkeitsmesstafel
Looks like: An electronic board beside the road that shows your speed.
Catches: Nothing. It only shows your speed and takes no photos.
Mautkontrollsäule
Looks like: Tall blue columns beside the Autobahn.
Catches: Lorries that have not paid the truck toll. They are not speed cameras.
Tolerance: 3 km/h is deducted from measured speeds up to 100 km/h and 3 per cent above 100 km/h, for fixed and mobile cameras.
Radar detectors: Illegal
Apps that warn of cameras: Illegal
If you're in a hire car: Camera fines go to the registered keeper. For a hire car that is the hire company, which passes your details to the authority and may charge an admin fee, and the fine is then sent to you. For cars registered elsewhere in the EU, Germany obtains the keeper's details through the EU exchange system and writes in the language of the registration document. Since 1 July 2026 the authorities have 6 months, instead of 3, to start proceedings, so a fine can arrive months after your trip.
| Offence | Fine |
|---|---|
| Speeding by up to 10 km/h In towns. €20 outside towns. | €30 |
| Speeding by 21 to 25 km/h In towns. €100 outside towns. Plus 1 point. | €115 |
| Speeding by 31 to 40 km/h In towns, with a 1-month driving ban and 2 points. Outside towns €200 and 1 point. | €260 |
| Running a red light Plus 1 point. If the light had been red for more than 1 second: €200, a 1-month ban and 2 points. | €90 |
| Using a radar detector or a camera-warning function Plus 1 point. | €75 |
The full guide to driving in Germany · Speed cameras in other countries