Overview
- Several Länder have filed a Bundesrat proposal to outlaw radar-warning apps based on mere installation or carriage, removing the need to prove in-car use.
- Under §23(1c) StVO, using such tools while driving is already illegal and punishable by a €75 fine and one point in Flensburg, while possession remains permitted.
- The federal transport ministry opposes a blanket ban and emphasizes stricter enforcement of current rules, saying evidence that mere installation fuels offenses is lacking.
- Police may inspect or secure a phone for evidence only with initial suspicion, such as a visible open app, whereas broader searches generally require a judicial order.
- The Police Union backs a full ban citing safety and enforcement gaps, and proponents point to France and Belgium where possession is prohibited and penalties are tougher.