Checking and Managing Your Fahreignungsregister (FAER) Points

The Fahreignungsregister (FAER), often referred to as the "Flensburg points system," is Germany's official record of driving-related infractions. Maintained by the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) in Flensburg, this system tracks points accumulated for traffic offences and triggers official measures as a driver's point total increases. Understanding your FAER status and the procedures for managing your points is crucial for every driver in Germany to prevent severe consequences, including the withdrawal of your driving licence. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to check your current point standing, interpret the point scale and official measures, understand point deletion rules, and explore options like the Fahreignungsseminar to potentially reduce points.

Introduction to the Fahreignungsregister (FAER)

The Fahreignungsregister (FAER) is the central register for driver fitness in Germany. It collects information about traffic violations committed by drivers that are relevant to road safety and punishable by points according to the Fahreignungs-Bewertungssystem (Driver Fitness Evaluation System). This system replaced the older Verkehrszentralregister (VZR) on May 1, 2014, with a fundamental overhaul aimed at more precise assessment of driver suitability.

The primary purpose of the FAER is to identify and address drivers who pose a higher risk to road safety due to repeated or severe traffic violations. By accumulating points, drivers are subjected to a graduated system of measures designed to encourage safer driving behaviour and, if necessary, remove unsafe drivers from the road.

The German Point System: Fahreignungs-Bewertungssystem

The Fahreignungs-Bewertungssystem assigns points to traffic offences based on their severity and impact on road safety. The point scale ranges from 1 to 3 points per offence, contributing to a total score that determines the administrative measures taken against a driver.

Point Allocation for Offences:

• 1 Point: Awarded for ordinary serious traffic offences that do not directly endanger others but are relevant for road safety. These typically include minor speeding violations, illegal parking that obstructs traffic, or minor violations of technical vehicle regulations.
• 2 Points: Assigned for very serious offences, especially those involving significant danger to other road users, gross negligence, or those that typically lead to a driving ban (Fahrverbot). Examples include significant speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol (but not leading to licence withdrawal), failure to yield, or serious red light violations.
• 3 Points: Reserved for offences that are considered Straftaten (criminal offences) and directly lead to the withdrawal of the driving licence (Entziehung der Fahrerlaubnis) or a temporary ban on re-obtaining it. These are the most severe violations, such as dangerous driving, hit-and-run incidents, or severe cases of driving under the influence.

It's important to understand that points are not simply a penalty; they are an indicator of your fitness to drive. The accumulation of points signifies a pattern of behaviour that the authorities will address through a system of escalating measures.

Understanding the Measures: From Vormerkung to Entziehung

The Fahreignungs-Bewertungssystem operates on a three-stage system of measures, designed to progressively intervene as a driver accumulates more points. These stages are triggered automatically by your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence authority) once your point total reaches certain thresholds.

Here's how the measures unfold:

Total Points Accumulated	Measures Stage (Maßnahmenstufe)	Official Measure & Consequences	Point Reduction Potential via FES
1 - 3 Points	Vormerkung (Annotation)	Your points are merely recorded in the Fahreignungsregister. No direct official action or written notification is sent by the driving licence authority. The Bußgeldbescheid (fine notice) for the offence typically includes a reference to the points.	Yes (reduces 1 point)
4 - 5 Points	Maßnahmenstufe 1	You will receive an Ermahnung (warning) from your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde. This written notification informs you of your current point total, explains the consequences of further point accumulation, and provides information about the voluntary Fahreignungsseminar (FES), which can reduce one point if attended.	Yes (reduces 1 point)
6 - 7 Points	Maßnahmenstufe 2	You will receive a Verwarnung (formal warning) from your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde. This formal letter emphasizes the imminent danger of licence withdrawal. It will again inform you about the Fahreignungsseminar, but at this stage, attending the seminar will no longer lead to any point reduction. It serves only to refresh your knowledge and improve your driving behaviour.	No
8 Points or More	Maßnahmenstufe 3	Your driving licence will be entzogen (withdrawn) by the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde, provided the preceding Ermahnung and Verwarnung stages have been duly completed. You are deemed unfit to drive. A Sperrfrist (blocking period) is imposed, after which you may apply for a new licence, which often involves successfully completing a Medical-Psychological Examination (Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung, MPU).	No

How to Check Your Fahreignungsregister Points (Punkteauskunft)

Regularly checking your Fahreignungsregister (FAER) status is the most proactive way to manage your driving record. The official statement of your points, known as the Punkteauskunft, is issued by the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) and is free of charge. Due to data protection regulations, strict identity verification is required to access your personal data.

Requesting Your Punkteauskunft

You have several convenient options to request your Punkteauskunft, each requiring robust identity verification:

Option 1: Online with eID Function (Recommended for speed and convenience)

This method allows you to receive your Auskunft immediately as a PDF file, provided you have the necessary equipment and activated features.

Official KBA Link for Online Auskunft: You can find the dedicated portal for online self-disclosure on the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt website: Online-Selbstauskunft aus dem Fahreignungsregister (FAER)

Option 2: By Post (Traditional Method)

If you cannot use the online eID function, you can request your Auskunft by mail.

Option 3: In Person at the KBA (Least Common)

You can obtain your Punkteauskunft directly at the KBA's service desk in Flensburg. This is generally only practical for individuals living near Flensburg. You will need to bring your valid Personalausweis or Reisepass for immediate identity verification.

Essential Information for Your Request

To ensure a smooth request process, prepare the following:

Documents and Information Required for Punkteauskunft:

• For Online Request (eID):
  • Valid German Personalausweis with activated eID function.
  • NFC-enabled smartphone or card reader.
  • "AusweisApp" installed and configured.
• For Postal Request:
  • Completed KBA application form.
  • Your personal data (full name, birth details, address).
  • Either:
    • An officially certified signature on the form.
    • A clear, legible copy of both sides of your valid Personalausweis or the relevant pages of your valid Reisepass.
• For In-Person Request:
  • Your valid Personalausweis or Reisepass.

Point Deletion Periods (Tilgung)

Unlike older systems where points might reset or be collectively managed, points in the Fahreignungsregister are subject to individual deletion (Tilgung) periods. This means each point entry has its own expiration date, determined by the severity of the offence and measured from the date the decision regarding the offence became legally final (Rechtskraft).

Standard Deletion Periods:

• 1-point offences: Generally deleted after 2.5 years.
• 2-point offences (without Entziehung der Fahrerlaubnis): Generally deleted after 5 years.
• 3-point offences (leading to Entziehung der Fahrerlaubnis): Generally deleted after 10 years.

Key Principles of Tilgung:

• Individual Deletion: Each offence is deleted independently according to its own fixed period. New points acquired do not "reset" the deletion clock for older points.
• No Suspension of Deletion: The deletion period for an entry is generally not suspended or interrupted by new offences. This ensures that points for older, less serious offences are removed from your record as scheduled, regardless of subsequent violations.
• Importance of Rechtskraft: The deletion period begins when the decision (e.g., the Bußgeldbescheid or court judgment) becomes legally binding and final. This is often after any appeal periods have passed.

Understanding these deletion periods is vital for managing your point total. While points will eventually expire, relying solely on natural deletion can be risky, especially if you are accumulating points quickly.

Reducing Points with the Fahreignungsseminar (FES)

The Fahreignungsseminar (FES) is a voluntary measure designed to help drivers improve their driving aptitude and, under specific conditions, reduce their point total in the Fahreignungsregister.

Eligibility for Point Reduction

You can only reduce one point by attending a Fahreignungsseminar if:

• Your current point total is between 1 and 5 points.
• You have not attended a Fahreignungsseminar (or a similar point reduction course under the old system) and received a point reduction within the last five years.

Structure of the Fahreignungsseminar

The FES is composed of two independent parts, both of which must be completed:

1. Verkehrspädagogische Teilmaßnahme (Traffic Pedagogy Part): This part consists of two modules, typically delivered by a specially licensed driving instructor (Fahrlehrer). It focuses on reviewing traffic rules, understanding common causes of accidents, and developing safer driving strategies.
2. Verkehrspsychologische Teilmaßnahme (Traffic Psychology Part): This part also consists of two modules, conducted by a qualified traffic psychologist. It aims to help participants reflect on their own driving behaviour, identify risk factors, and develop strategies for avoiding future offences.

Both parts are usually completed individually or in small groups and are spread over a period, allowing for reflection between sessions.

How to Get Credit for Point Reduction

To have one point removed from your FAER record after completing the FES:

1. Attend and Complete: Successfully complete both the pedagogical and psychological parts of the Fahreignungsseminar.
2. Obtain Certificate: The seminar providers will issue you a certificate of attendance upon completion.
3. Submit Certificate: You must present this certificate to your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde within two weeks of completing the seminar.
4. Point Deduction: Upon successful submission and verification, one point will be deducted from your FAER record. The point total considered for reduction is the one valid at the time the certificate was issued.

The Fahreignungsseminar typically involves a fee, which varies depending on the provider. It's advisable to compare offers from different licensed FES providers.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

Navigating the Fahreignungsregister can be complex. Be aware of these common errors that can lead to unexpected consequences:

• Assuming Points Expire Quickly: Many drivers underestimate the deletion periods. Points for serious offences can remain on your record for up to 10 years, not just a few months. Always check your official Punkteauskunft for precise deletion dates.
• Incorrectly Timing the Fahreignungsseminar: Attending an FES when you have 6 or more points will not reduce your score. Ensure your point total is between 1 and 5 before you enroll if point reduction is your goal.
• Confusing FAER with Bußgeldverfahren: The Fahreignungsregister (FAER) is about your driving fitness and points. The Bußgeldverfahren is the administrative process for the fine and immediate penalties (like a driving ban) for a specific offence. If you want to contest the underlying offence or fine, you must do so during the Bußgeldverfahren, not by contacting the KBA about your points.
• Ignoring Official Notices (Ermahnung/Verwarnung): These letters are not mere reminders; they are formal administrative actions. Ignoring them means you miss crucial warnings and opportunities for point reduction (at the Ermahnung stage), and you will not be able to claim you were unaware if your licence is eventually withdrawn.
• Not Verifying Identity Correctly for Auskunft: Attempting to get your points over the phone or with insufficient identification will fail. The KBA requires strict identity verification via eID or a certified signature/ID copy for data protection reasons.
• Assuming Employers Can Check Your Points: The Fahreignungsregister is not a public record. Employers or private individuals cannot request your Punkteauskunft. Only you (and authorized authorities for official purposes) can access this information.
• Delaying Action After an Official Measure: If you receive an Ermahnung and are eligible for point reduction, act quickly to enroll in a Fahreignungsseminar. Delaying could mean accumulating more points, pushing you past the 5-point threshold where the seminar no longer reduces points.
• Believing the Seminar Erases the Offence: Completing an FES reduces one point but does not erase the record of the underlying traffic offence from the FAER or other registers.
• Not Knowing Your Current Point Count: Without knowing your exact point total, you cannot make informed decisions about managing your driving record. Regularly checking your Punkteauskunft (at least once a year, or after receiving any Bußgeldbescheid) is best practice.

What Happens Next?

Understanding the outcome of your actions regarding the Fahreignungsregister is crucial for planning your future on German roads.

After Point Reduction

If you successfully attend a Fahreignungsseminar while eligible (1-5 points) and submit the certificate to your Fahrerlaubnisbehörde within the two-week deadline, one point will be removed from your FAER record. This reduction is reflected in your next official Punkteauskunft. You can then continue to monitor your points and ensure you maintain a safe driving record. Remember, this point reduction is available only once every five years.

After Driving Licence Withdrawal (Entziehung der Fahrerlaubnis)

If you reach 8 points, your driving licence will be withdrawn. This is a severe consequence. Here’s what typically follows:

• Sperrfrist (Blocking Period): You will be subject to a statutory blocking period, usually at least six months, during which you are prohibited from applying for a new driving licence. The exact duration depends on the severity and frequency of your offences.
• Reapplication: After the Sperrfrist, you must reapply for a new driving licence. This is not merely a "return" of your old licence.
• Medical-Psychological Examination (MPU): In most cases of licence withdrawal due to accumulating 8 points, you will be required to successfully complete a Medical-Psychological Examination (MPU) before a new licence can be issued. The MPU assesses your physical, mental, and psychological fitness to drive and your ability to learn from past mistakes. It is a challenging and often expensive process.
• Probationary Period: If you regain your licence, you may be subject to new conditions or a probationary period.

The process of re-obtaining a driving licence after withdrawal is extensive and requires significant commitment. It is far more advantageous to manage your points proactively to avoid reaching the 8-point threshold in the first place.

Official Sources and Further Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Fahreignungsregister and related procedures, always consult the official sources:

• Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA): The primary authority for the Fahreignungsregister. Their website provides detailed explanations of the point system, measures, and application procedures for the Punkteauskunft.
  • KBA Fahreignungsregister overview: https://www.kba.de/DE/Themen/Fahreignungsregister/fahreignungsregister_node.html
  • KBA Online-Selbstauskunft: https://www.kba.de/DE/Themen/ZentraleRegister/FAER/Auskunft/faer_auskunft_node.html
• Straßenverkehrsgesetz (StVG): The core German traffic law, which defines the Fahreignungs-Bewertungssystem and its regulations.
  • StVG online: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvg/
• ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club): Provides consumer-friendly guides and explanations of German traffic law and the point system. Search their website for "Punkte Flensburg" or "Punktefahrverbot".

Always refer to these official and authoritative sources for verification, especially concerning specific legal details, fees, and updated procedures.