Whenever anyone talks about traffic fines, they’ll mention ‘points in Flensburg’, which refers to the national headquarters of the police in the northern German city of Flensburg. This is where your driving record is kept. Drivers all start off with no ‘points in Flensburg’ but can lose their licence if they accumulate 18 points within a certain period (this varies depending on the offences). Offences that will get you up to four points are considered simple ones, while those that earn between five and seven points are considered criminal. Driving while intoxicated will win you seven points as well as the immediate loss of your driving licence. If it’s the first time, it’ll likely only be taken for three to six months. You’ll also have to pay a fine calculated according to your income, for example 120 days’ worth of pay. Going up to 25kph over the speed limit will get you one point and up to a €50 fine. Anything above 30kph over the posted limit will win you three or four points and a fine of at least €100. You’ll also lose your licence for at least a month. Driving without a licence will ensure you don’t have a licence for at least another six months, as well as gain you a stiff fine – 180 days’ pay is what the law calls for. Since you don’t technically have a licence, you can’t accrue any points. If you just forgot your licence, you’re looking at a €10 warning.

And buckle up – seatbelts are mandatory in Germany as are childseats; the driver is fined €30 per offender.