€40 Bußgeldbescheid actually costs €62.51

OK, legal eagles listen up, i need some advice/clarification.

I received my fine notification today for being a bad boy and getting copped talking on the phone whilst driving, fair enough.

However, what i don't understand is the breakdown of the fine, so i need some help please.

The fine is 40 yoyos exactly as the little green elfess told me at the time but then there are additional costs which i'm buggered if i know what they are?

They are as follows :

Kosten des verfahrens zu tragen. Gebuehr 20,00

Auslagen der buszgeldstelle. 2,51.

I'm presuming the 2,51 is some kind of administration charge but what the hell is the other 20,00 for?

So, my 40 euro fine is actually 62,51 euros.

Anybody know?

Costs for the processing of the fine, general administration so to say. Auslagen are costs for paper, postage etc.
P.S. And don't give me any shit about "But I pay taxes, why are they hitting me for more?" I don't pay my taxes so bozos like you don't have to cough up for additional administrative tasks.
P.P.S. Get a hands-free set.

Thanks sara, so a 40 euro fine isn't actually a 40 euro fine then? That is absolute bollocks may i say!

Maybe they upped it because you didn't pay on time -- did they give you payment info right when they nabbed you?

Nope, i was told to wait for this letter.

Did you object the fine? Did they have to do some additional check on the photo or video material to prove you actually did what they claim?

This is pretty normal. I got a 60-euro fine for going through a red light on my bike. Naughty me. With the "administration fees" it came to more than 85 euros. I suppose if you want to make a test case out of it you could, because on the surface it seems pretty arbitrary. Then again, is it worth your time?

It' simple - it's €40 plus costs - just like a mail-order purchase would be €40 + shipping (costs)

Like the good person says you pay the fine and all additional costs, post,writing material and wage costs.All broken down and correct according to the German way of life.

I live by the adage - 'Don't do the crime if you can't pay the fine/do the time '.

Does anyone know the fine for going thru a red light? In another topic it was mentioned 125 euros but that was a 2 years old topic so i assume they did not pass the opportunity to increase it

I got my bad boy slap on the hand for using my handy the other week. The guy told me then and there that the fine is 40 and there is an addittional 20 or so as processing fees.

Bluedave, how long did the letter take? I dunno if they will get mine to me before I leave the country or not. Also did you get points?

Sorry sharpe, dunno about the lights.

I get the impression telephoning without a hands-off setup is "in". I drove into Hamburg yesterday and saw numerous incidents with "handys". All types of vehicle from "normal" cars to off-roaders & trucks with trailers. And it not just up here - last weekend in Sinsheim I saw how the driver of a large Wohnmobile was trying to navigate traffic lights whilst clutching his "handy" to his ear.

I have a hands-free system in my (company) car & sometimes wonder why - except that I KNOW its safer...

Two things
One dont ever ever drive while telephoning, not that i doubt your ability to do so, but if you get involved in an accident you'll be taking a large proportion of the balme and costs even if it isnt your fault.

Two and much much more importantly. It's a mobile or a cell. NEVER A HANDY. Shame on you. Leave the Country now. ;-)

I found the catalog. Order whatever you want. Looks like i will lose my license for 1 month

Nichtbefolgen Rotlicht (Auszug aus dem Bußgeldkatalog) ...

The trick is to make sure they issue you with an Überweisungsschein (bank transfer order) when they write the ticket. If you pay this within seven days there are no additional costs.

I verrry rarely do this and often shout abuse at people doing so from within my metal & glass cage. Hypocrite? yeah. I think this was like the 3rd time I have spoken on the handy while driving. The call hadn't even connected this time either. Technically I was not talking Excuse? no.

Bloody unmarked police cars slowing down in front of you making you curse at the old fogey driver for going so slow and then thinking "hmm what's that thing coming out of his rear parcel shel... oh". Wankers? fo sho (but he was really nice about it really).


OK. Can you gimme, let's see, about 4 weeks to get me things together?

I only have 4 weeks left of calling it a handy before I switch to using the word "cell" so I am gonna try and use that word up till it goes out of fashion. It's a service I provide.

@ sharpe: Not necessarily. Take a picture of the exit with the bus lane and the lights and explain how the "F" confused you. You will still probably have to pay up but not as much and you may not get banned.
Was this at the Aral station on Leopold shortly before you hit the ring? Scogs' taxi broadsided a cop car there once - the taxi driver was drunk.

Well we'll see. Yes, right in front of that damned Aral station.

I made that same mistake once but never got a ticket. What makes you think that you were blitzed?

I saw the flash .

Convincing enough. Then again, maybe it was someone else on the street who jumped the gun. Wait and see but have your defense ready, you only have one week to respond to the ticket.

Thanks Sara. What happens if i dont respond?

Can't you guess?

yep that was stupid. never received a ticket in germany so just dont know what they will write

Two weeks actually ... Kurze Einspruchsfrist beachten

Right, Bußgeldbescheid is two weeks, Ordnungswidrigkeit is one. Thanks, m.

???