There are numerous items that you must have in your car during a police check. At the same time, there are also prohibited items that can result in heavy fines if you carry them in your car.
The mandatory equipment of a car is quickly explained: Anyone driving a car in Germany must carry a valid driver’s license, the vehicle registration document (not a letter!), any papers for structural changes to the vehicle, a warning triangle, a safety vest and a current, non-expired first aid kit. If you fail to carry these during a police check, you face small but annoying fines.
However, it gets really expensive when you transport things in your car that you are not allowed to take with you. We are talking about certain knives. The video warns against this in a short video. Short because there is actually not that much to explain.
A knife in the glove compartment can be very expensive
According to the ADAC lawyer, as soon as you transport certain knives in your car without securing them – unsecured means within easy reach – you are violating the weapons law. A knife would also be within easy reach if you transport it in the glove compartment.
According to the ADAC, all one-handed knives and knives with a fixed blade of more than 12 centimeters are prohibited weapons. According to the ADAC, airsoft pistols also fall under the definition. There is no need to worry about normal pocket knives, as the blade of most models of these popular all-purpose tools measures around seven centimeters.
It is particularly easy to fall into the “one-hand knife trap”. These are knives with an opening aid, usually a pin in the middle of the blade, and a lockable blade. Other models have holes in the blade or a so-called flipper. The length of the blade is not important for such knives. Some manufacturers therefore allow the opening pin to be removed. It is not clear whether removing the opening aid is enough to legally carry the knife and in the worst case scenario it does not change the punishment.
Only those who have a so-called “legitimate interest” should carry such a knife. According to the law, this is the case “in particular if the items are carried in connection with the exercise of a profession, for the preservation of traditions, for sport or for a generally recognized purpose.” If you absolutely have to transport it but do not have such a “legitimate interest”, the knife must be placed in a lockable container. What exactly that means is a matter of interpretation in some cases.
Cell phones, liquor and newspapers
What is forbidden in the car
What is also not allowed in the car
Other items that should not be transported in a car include dangerous substances such as explosives and large amounts of fireworks, large amounts of fuel outside the tank, certain chemicals, firearms, unsecured animals or generally items that impair visibility or safety, such as large wooden slats laid across the vehicle.
Important: It also states that “the police are not allowed to search the car during a general traffic check, nor open the doors or reach into the vehicle.” So, if there is no imminent danger or a search warrant exists, you can refuse the check. However, such a refusal can lead to further police action.
Source: Stern
I’m a recent graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism. I started working as a news reporter for 24 Hours World about two years ago, and I’ve been writing articles ever since. My main focus is automotive news, but I’ve also written about politics, lifestyle, and entertainment.
