Driving ban: new commencement deadline since 01.06.2026 – 1 month as the default, 4 months for first-time offenders

As of 1 June 2026, the legislator has reorganised the enforcement of driving bans (Act of 23.02.2026, BGBl. 2026 I No. 46). The newly worded sec. 25 StVG (Straßenverkehrsgesetz, German Road Traffic Act) changes one thing above all: when your driving ban (Fahrverbot) begins.

New default rule: up to one month of time for everyone

Until now, a driving ban took effect immediately when the fine notice (Bußgeldbescheid) became legally final (Rechtskraft) unless the first-time offender privilege applied – anyone who was not paying attention was driving without authorisation from that very moment.

Now the general rule is (sec. 25 para. 2 StVG new version): the driving ban takes effect when your driving licence is placed in official custody or the ban is recorded on it – but at the latest one month after the decision becomes final. This rule applies regardless of whether it is your first or a repeat violation – the statutory wording does not depend on any prior record.

What this means in practice: You can now control the start of the ban within one month – for instance to bridge an important week at work or to place the ban in your holiday. After one month, however, the driving ban applies automatically, whether you have handed in your licence or not.

The trap: the ban period only runs from the day you hand in your licence

Crucially important is the new separation in sec. 25 para. 6 StVG: the ban period (Verbotsfrist) – that is, the time your driving ban lasts – only starts running on the day your driving licence is in official custody or the entry has been recorded.

If you simply do not hand in your licence, you get the worst of both worlds: after one month the driving ban applies (driving would be a criminal offence under sec. 21 StVG), but the period does not run – the driving ban effectively extends indefinitely until the licence is handed in. So hand in your licence in good time and according to plan.

The exception: first-time offender privilege remains – now as a declaration model

There is one important exception to the one-month rule (sec. 25 para. 3 StVG new version, formerly para. 2a): anyone who had no legally final driving ban decision in the two years before the offence counts as a first-time offender for this purpose and keeps their privilege – the driving ban only has to commence no later than four months after the decision becomes final. What is new is the formal design: you can now name the effective date yourself by written or electronic declaration (between one and four months after the decision becomes final). If you do not submit a declaration, the driving ban automatically takes effect at the end of four months.

In short: the one-month deadline is now the default for every driving ban. Only those who meet the first-time offender criterion benefit instead from the longer four-month period with a choice of date.

Several driving bans: one after the other

If several driving bans become final, the ban periods run consecutively (sec. 25 para. 4 StVG) – the one that took effect earlier runs first. “Sitting out” bans in parallel is not possible.

What you should do now

With the new rules, the right timing for the objection (Einspruch), the moment the decision becomes final and the handover of your licence has become even more of a tactical question – especially if you depend on your car for work. Whether the driving ban can be avoided altogether or at least placed optimally is exactly what the free initial case review clarifies.

By the way: for proceedings that became final before 01.06.2026, the act contains no express transitional provision – such legacy cases should be reviewed individually.

Sources: Act on the reorganisation of the enforcement of driving bans and licence withdrawals (Gesetz zur Neuregelung der Vollstreckung von Fahrverboten und Entziehungen der Fahrerlaubnis) of 23.02.2026, BGBl. 2026 I No. 46 · current wording of sec. 25 StVG at buzer.de