Traffic Fine Management

The authority first contacts the registered keeper because the registration number identifies that party. The company receives a witness questionnaire or hearing notice and states who was driving at the time. The proceedings then continue against that person.

A road traffic administrative offence can no longer be pursued after a relatively short limitation period. If that period expires before the driver is identified, the authority may order the company to keep a logbook under Section 31a of the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). This requires a logbook to be kept for one or more vehicles over an extended period.

Often because no one can match the trip to a person. The answer is simple for an assigned vehicle, but not for pool vehicles. Without booking records showing the period and driver, it is hard to establish who drove several weeks later.

The other problem is the route a letter takes through the company. It reaches a general address, gets forwarded and sits untouched during a holiday. By the time it reaches the responsible person, much of the deadline may have passed. Clear ownership and a direct incoming-mail process help more than trying to speed things up later.