As of: March 7, 2024, 7:26 p.m
By: Ulrike Hagen, Sandra Sporer
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Carrying the item in the car is only permitted under very specific conditions.
So it always has to be well stowed away.
Simply putting it in the glove compartment is not enough.
© Andrey Popov/IMAGO
Most people have transported this everyday item by car.
That's exactly what is illegal - because it falls under the gun law.
Berlin – There are a lot of things to consider when driving.
For example, who has the right of way in certain situations.
You should also take a close look at your luggage, as an item can cost you dearly.
In the worst case, you could face a fine of up to 10,000 euros if you carry a knife in your car.
And that can happen quickly on the way to vacation.
Especially if you go camping, you may also take a good kitchen knife from home with you in addition to the camping stove, pots and pans.
That's enough to incur the horrendous fine.
This everyday item can result in a fine, but hardly anyone knows about the ban
However, many are not aware of this.
That's why the ADAC recently provided information about the topic in a TikTok video.
If knives meet certain criteria, transporting them in the car is not permitted and can result in a hefty fine, according to the ADAC.
According to the ADAC, these types of knives are prohibited in the car:
All one-hand knives
Knife with a fixed blade of more than 12 centimeters
Knives classified as weapons
In addition to knives, the banned weapons also include airsoft guns, according to Danner.
However, an ordinary pocket knife is usually not included.
Weapons law prohibits carrying knives in the car - there is a risk of high penalties
Paragraph 42 of the Weapons Act (WaffG) is relevant here.
Knives with a blade that can be locked with one hand (one-hand knife) or fixed knives with a blade length of more than 12 cm may not be used in public.
In addition, ADAC lawyer Annika Danner emphasizes: “If you have no legitimate interest in carrying the banned knives, for example because you need them for work, you could face a fine.”
According to Section 53 of the Weapons Act, this can amount to up to 10,000 euros.
In particularly serious cases, prison sentences of up to five years can be imposed.
In addition, the knife in question can be confiscated.
This also applies if the weapons are transported but are not stored in a locked container.
In Germany, it is usually not enough to simply put the items in question in the glove compartment, as they are still easily accessible there.
Not just knives: other objects can also pose a danger in the car
It's not just knives that can cause problems in the car or become expensive if they are stolen or stored improperly.
Electronic devices can also become a problem.
The TÜV warns in particular against storing these items in a closed vehicle or even on the dashboard in direct sunlight.
Laptops, cell phones, tablets or even power banks should therefore not be left in the car to avoid damage or even fire.
Numerous traffic violations can result in severe fines.
Read the overview of what you will face for corresponding offenses according to the 2024 catalog of fines.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked.
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