Running a red light in Germany (Rotlichtverstoß) is penalised on a sliding scale, and the single factor that decides which scale applies is how long the light had been red.
The threshold is one second. A widely repeated claim puts it at three seconds — that is wrong, and the difference is €110 plus a one-month driving ban.
Simple violation (einfacher Rotlichtverstoß) — red for less than 1 second
| Circumstances | Fine | Points | Ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| No danger or damage | €90 | 1 | – |
| Endangering others | €200 | 2 | 1 month |
| Property damage caused | €240 | 2 | 1 month |
Qualified violation (qualifizierter Rotlichtverstoß) — red for more than 1 second
| Circumstances | Fine | Points | Ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| No danger or damage | €200 | 2 | 1 month |
| Endangering others | €320 | 2 | 1 month |
| Property damage caused | €360 | 2 | 1 month |
Why the one-second rule matters so much
Crossing at 0.9 seconds costs €90 and one point. Crossing at 1.1 seconds costs €200, two points and one month without your licence. The gap between those two outcomes is two tenths of a second.
Your penalty notice (Bußgeldbescheid) will state which category applies using the phrase “qualifizierter Rotlichtverstoß”. If you see that word, a driving ban is on the table.
How the timing is measured
Red-light cameras use two induction loops in the road surface. The first triggers as you cross the stop line, the second a few metres further on. The time elapsed since the light turned red is recorded with both images. Because the measurement is technical, errors in calibration, signage or documentation are among the more successful grounds for objection.
If you are in the probationary period
A red-light offence is classed as an A-Verstoß (serious). During the two-year Probezeit this extends probation by two years and requires attendance at a mandatory seminar.
Objecting
You have 14 days from receiving the notice to file an Einspruch. Given that qualified violations carry a driving ban, and that measurement can be challenged, it is often worth having a lawyer review the file — particularly if you have Rechtsschutzversicherung covering traffic matters.