In brief

Unlike a driving ban, the licence is gone afterwards. It must be applied for again once a blocking period has expired, often with a medical-psychological assessment. For drink-driving and hit-and-run with significant damage, withdrawal is the statutory norm.

Section 69 StGB is a measure of correction and prevention, not a penalty. The court withdraws the licence where an offence connected with driving shows that the offender is unfit to drive. For certain offences unfitness is presumed as a rule under subsection 2: endangering road traffic (Section 315c StGB), illegal motor races (Section 315d StGB), drink-driving (Section 316 StGB) and leaving the scene of an accident where the offender knows or could know that a person was seriously injured or significant damage was caused (Section 142 StGB). Many courts currently set the threshold for significant damage at around 1,800 to 2,000 euros; some set it higher.

At the same time the court sets a blocking period of six months to five years, in exceptional cases permanently (Section 69a StGB). No new licence may be issued before it ends.

Provisional withdrawal

During the investigation, the court may provisionally withdraw the licence under Section 111a StPO where there are strong grounds for a later withdrawal. In drink-driving cases this often happens within days, and the licence is frequently seized at the roadside. This period is later credited against the blocking period (Section 69a(4) StGB). The longer the case lasts, the more the balance shifts: after many months without a licence, a driving ban in the judgment may suffice instead of withdrawal.

Where the defence comes in

The presumption can be rebutted. Special circumstances in the offence or the person, such as a very short drive in an emergency or participation in a traffic psychology programme before judgment, can lead the court to refrain from withdrawal or shorten the blocking period. In hit-and-run cases it almost always pays to look closely at the amount of damage and at whether the accident was noticed at all. After the blocking period, the licensing authority decides on a new licence, often after a medical-psychological assessment. In detail: drink-driving and hit-and-run.

General explanation, not advice on an individual case. As of November 2026.