Crackdown on car posers: Germany fines noisy drivers

If a German police officer stops you and you cannot justify why you are driving back and forth, you can be fined $110. If the officer finds you unnecessarily generating noise with the engine, the fine will increase by $90.

German police are combating so-called "car posers" — usually young drivers who want to show off their sports cars. For them, a "show" means frequent and aimless drives through the city center, often accompanied by a roaring exhaust. They want to enjoy their vehicles and attract attention. Still, they do so at the expense of the peace of residents, pedestrians, and customers of nearby restaurants who do not share the same fascination with loud vehicles.

According to German law, such driving is an offense. "Aimless driving back and forth in built-up areas is prohibited if it is bothersome to others" (Paragraph 30 of the German Road Traffic Regulations – StVO). There are no clear guidelines on how many times you can drive the same stretch of road without getting a ticket – it is up to the officer's discretion. If, during a stop, a driver cannot provide a reasonable reason for repeated short-term drives, they will receive a fine of $110.

Additionally, there is a $90 fine for excessive noise in built-up areas caused by driving in low gear, sudden gear reduction, or revving at lights. In this case, it does not matter whether the trip has a purpose or is just for fun.

Special police units in large German cities pay particular attention to loud cars. They patrol the streets in unmarked cars, stop sports and modified vehicles for routine checks, and measure exhaust noise levels with sound meters. Exceeding noise limits can confiscate the vehicle registration, even if the modification is legally recorded in the vehicle documents.

This should be considered when planning a visit to our western neighbors. In summer, the police receive more reports about noisy "posers" and take a much stricter stance on such drivers. Although Germans love motoring, have great roads, and still have some autobahns with no speed limits, they value peace and public order equally.