- Legal Basis
- § 21 StVG
- Sentencing Range
- Imprisonment of up to one year or a fine
- Summary
- Driving a motor vehicle on public roads without the required driving licence
Driving Without a Licence (Section 21 StVG) – Criminal Defence Against Unlicensed Driving Charges
Driving without a valid licence is not a minor offence in Germany – it is prosecuted as a criminal act and can carry significant consequences. Those affected include not only persons who have never held a driving licence, but also those whose licence has been revoked or who are driving with a foreign licence not recognised in Germany. This is a particularly relevant issue for expats, as the rules governing foreign driving licences in Germany are complex and often misunderstood.
Statutory Text – Section 21 StVG
Paragraph 1: Whoever operates a motor vehicle without holding the required driving licence or while prohibited from driving under Section 44 of the Criminal Code or Section 25 of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine.
Paragraph 2: Whoever, as the registered keeper of a motor vehicle, orders or permits someone to operate the vehicle who does not hold the required driving licence or who is prohibited from driving under Section 44 of the Criminal Code or Section 25 of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to 180 daily rates.
Elements of the Offence in Detail
Operating a motor vehicle: This covers operating any motor vehicle on public roads. A motor vehicle is any machine-powered vehicle not bound to rails. E-scooters with a maximum speed exceeding 6 km/h also fall within the scope.
Absence of driving licence: A driving licence is absent if it was never issued, if it was finally revoked (Section 69 StGB), if a driving ban is in effect (Section 44 StGB, Section 25 StVG), or if a foreign driving licence does not authorise the holder to drive in Germany.
Intent and negligence: Intentional commission is punishable under paragraph 1. Negligence suffices under Section 21(2) no. 1 StVG. In practice, accused persons frequently claim not to have known that their licence was invalid – for instance with foreign driving licences or following a revocation.
Typical Methods of Commission
The most common cases involve driving after licence revocation due to drunk driving or hit-and-run, driving during the lock-out period for re-issuance, driving with a foreign licence that has not been converted within the required timeframe, driving despite a driving ban, and driving without ever having obtained a licence. Particular issues arise with EU driving licences obtained in other member states, as well as with holders of non-EU driving licences who have established their ordinary residence in Germany.
Sentencing Range
Driving without a licence is punished with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine. First-time offenders typically receive a fine. Repeat offenders face imprisonment. In addition, a lock-out period for the issuance of a driving licence may be imposed. The vehicle may be confiscated (Section 21(3) StVG). Vehicle keepers who order or permit unlicensed driving face imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to 180 daily rates.
Typical Defence Strategies
Defence frequently focuses on intent: did the accused actually know that their licence was invalid? Particularly in complex legal questions surrounding the recognition of foreign driving licences, a mistake of law may apply. It is further examined whether the licence revocation was validly served and whether a motor vehicle within the meaning of the law was actually being operated. In cases of driving out of an emergency situation, justifying necessity (Section 34 StGB) may be relevant. Rechtsanwalt Bafteh examines every case for individual defence possibilities and provides particular assistance with questions relating to the recognition of foreign driving licences.
Typical case groups in driving without a licence (§ 21 StVG)
The offence covers very different constellations – from a first-time drive without ever having held a licence to driving despite withdrawal. The distinction is decisive for sentence and consequences.
Driving despite withdrawal or a bar
Anyone driving despite a withdrawn licence or during a bar period must expect a noticeable penalty and an extension of the bar. Repeat cases are judged considerably more harshly.
Licence never acquired
Even someone who has never held a driving licence commits an offence. Here the question of a later grant and the person’s character aptitude plays a role.
E-scooter and insurance cover
No driving licence is required for an e-scooter, but a valid insurance plate is. Driving without insurance cover is independently punishable under § 6 PflVG – a point often overlooked.
Note: This information is general and does not replace advice in an individual case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ist Driving Without a Licence Straftat oder Ordnungswidrigkeit?
Es ist eine Straftat nach § 21 StVG, kein bloßes Bußgeld. Erfasst ist das Fahren ohne je erteilte Fahrerlaubnis ebenso wie das Fahren nach deren Entziehung.
Welche Strafe droht?
Freiheitsstrafe bis zu einem Jahr oder Geldstrafe; bei Wiederholung fällt die Strafe höher aus. Strafbar macht sich auch der Halter, der das Fahren anordnet oder zulässt.
Welche Verteidigungsansätze gibt es?
In Betracht kommen ein Irrtum über das Bestehen der Fahrerlaubnis, fehlender Vorsatz sowie Fragen rund um eine ausländische Fahrerlaubnis. Diese Punkte prüfen wir anhand der Akte.
Muss ich zur Polizei, wenn ich als Beschuldigter vorgeladen werde?
Einer rein polizeilichen Police Summons müssen Sie als Beschuldigter nicht folgen, und Sie sind nie verpflichtet, sich zur Sache zu äußern. Einer Ladung der Staatsanwaltschaft oder des Gerichts sollten Sie folgen – schweigen dürfen Sie aber auch dort.
Sollte ich vor der Akteneinsicht aussagen?
In aller Regel nein. Ohne Kenntnis der Ermittlungsakte lässt sich nicht beurteilen, welche Beweise vorliegen. Eine Einlassung sollte erst nach Akteneinsicht und in Abstimmung mit dem Verteidiger erfolgen.
Kann ein Strafverfahren eingestellt werden?
Ja. Je nach Beweislage kommen eine Einstellung mangels hinreichenden Tatverdachts (§ 170 II StPO), wegen Geringfügigkeit (§ 153 StPO) oder gegen Auflagen (§ 153a StPO) in Betracht. Nach Akteneinsicht prüfen wir die Möglichkeiten.
Summons or accusation of Driving Without a Licence? What matters now
Make no statement to the police at first
As an accused person you are never obliged to comment on the allegation. Anything said to the police can be used against you. Provide statements only through your defense attorney and only after reviewing the case file.
File inspection comes first
A sound defense against the allegation of Driving Without a Licence requires knowledge of the investigation file. Only once the available evidence is clear can we decide whether a statement is advisable or whether remaining silent is the better strategy.
Possible discontinuation of proceedings
Not every case ends in a main hearing. Depending on the evidence and any prior record, the proceedings may be discontinued for lack of sufficient suspicion (§ 170 II StPO), for triviality (§ 153 StPO) or subject to conditions (§ 153a StPO). Often a penalty order without a public trial can be achieved.
Victim-offender mediation and restitution
In many cases, victim-offender mediation or making good the damage (§ 46a StGB) can significantly reduce the sentence or enable a discontinuation. Whether this is advisable in your case is something we assess based on the file.
What we do after reviewing the file
We examine the evidence for reliability and admissibility, look for procedural errors, develop the defense strategy, negotiate with the public prosecutor on a discontinuation and represent you, if necessary, in the main hearing before the District Court or Regional Court of Bonn.
Available 24/7: +49 228 504 463 36
This information does not replace a review of the individual case. In criminal proceedings, the defence strategy depends substantially on the case file, the specific allegation and the evidence.
Why BAFTEH Strafverteidigung?
- Direct contact with your defense attorney – no intermediaries
- Available around the clock, including nights and weekends
- Fast file inspection and a clear defense strategy
- Focused exclusively on criminal law
- Defense in Bonn, Cologne and the entire region
Written by attorney Philip Bafteh, criminal defense lawyer in Bonn. Philip Bafteh publishes regularly on criminal and commercial law and defends accused persons in investigative and trial proceedings.
More about the attorney →Last updated: Juni 2026
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