Car control: Which items in the vehicle lead to penalties

The mandatory equipment of a car is quickly explained: Anyone who drives a car in Germany must have a valid driver’s license, the vehicle registration document (not a letter!), any papers for structural changes to the vehicle, a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest and a current, not expired first aid kit carry along. If you violate the obligation to carry your vehicle during a police check, you face smaller but annoying fines.

However, it gets really expensive when you transport things in the car that you are not allowed to take with you. We’re talking about specific knives. He warns about this in a short video. In short, because there isn’t actually that much to explain.

Because as soon as you transport certain knives unsecured in the car – unsecured means: ready to hand – you are violating the weapons law, according to the ADAC lawyer. By the way, a knife would also be ready to hand if you carried it in the glove compartment.

According to the ADAC, the prohibited weapons include all one-hand knives and knives with a fixed blade of over 12 centimeters. According to the ADAC, airsoft pistols also fall into the definition. The all-clear is given for normal pocket knives, because the blade of most models of these popular all-purpose tools measures around seven centimeters.

It’s 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 does not matter with such knives. Some manufacturers therefore allow the opening pin to be removed. It is not clear whether removing the opening aids is enough to legally carry the knife and, in the worst case, 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 practice of the profession, the maintenance of customs, sport or a generally recognized purpose.” If you absolutely have to transport it but have no such “legitimate interest”, the knife must be placed in a lockable container. What exactly that is is in some cases a matter of interpretation.

Other things that should not be transported in the car include dangerous substances such as explosives and lots of fireworks, large amounts of fuel outside the tank, certain chemicals, firearms, unsecured animals or generally things that impair visibility or safety. such as large wooden slats that are placed across the vehicle.

Important: He also writes that “during a general traffic stop, the police are not allowed to search the car, open the doors or reach into the vehicle.” Unless there is imminent danger or there is a search warrant, you can refuse the inspection. However, such refusal may result in further police action.