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What does Ordnungswidrigkeit mean?

Ordnungswidrigkeit (regulatory offence) is a breach of a rule that is not a crime. For example, speeding or parking in the wrong place.

die Ordnungswidrigkeit · die Ordnungswidrigkeiten (plural)

It usually leads to a Verwarnungsgeld or a Bußgeld, but not to a criminal penalty. It does not appear in the Führungszeugnis.

You usually get an Anhörungsbogen first. After that, a Bußgeldbescheid can follow.

You can lodge an Einspruch against the Bußgeldbescheid within two weeks. The period starts with the Zustellung.

Example sentence

Ihnen wird vorgeworfen, folgende Ordnungswidrigkeit begangen zu haben.

You are accused of having committed the following Ordnungswidrigkeit.

What you can do

On the Anhörungsbogen you do not have to say anything about the matter. But you must give your personal details.

Calculate your deadline

  • Bußgeldbescheid With a Bußgeldbescheid, an office demands a fine from you, for example because you drove too fast.
  • Verwarnungsgeld A Verwarnungsgeld (warning fine) is a small amount for a minor offence, for example for wrong parking.
  • Anhörungsbogen An Anhörungsbogen (hearing form) is a form from the fines office. You are asked to respond to an accusation, for example speeding.
  • Fahrverbot A Fahrverbot (driving ban) means you may not drive a car or any other motor vehicle for a while.
  • Einspruch With an Einspruch, you challenge certain decisions, for example from the Finanzamt (tax office) or a Bußgeldbescheid (fine).
  • Führungszeugnis Führungszeugnis (certificate of good conduct) shows whether you have been convicted of a crime. Employers and offices sometimes ask for it.