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Christmas decorations on the car: what is allowed and what is not

2022-11-29T07:45:21.939Z


Christmas decorations on the car: what is allowed and what is not Created: 11/28/2022, 4:30 p.m Whether it's fairy lights in the cockpit or dancing Christmas trees on the parcel shelf - caution is required, especially with luminous and flashing objects on and in the car. For many people, the pre-Christmas period is the best part of the year. Rooms, front gardens and even entire houses are decor


Christmas decorations on the car: what is allowed and what is not

Created: 11/28/2022, 4:30 p.m

Whether it's fairy lights in the cockpit or dancing Christmas trees on the parcel shelf - caution is required, especially with luminous and flashing objects on and in the car.

For many people, the pre-Christmas period is the best part of the year.

Rooms, front gardens and even entire houses are decorated.

For some decoration lovers, however, it is not enough to beautify their own four walls from the inside and outside with candles, fairy lights, balls and the like - many vehicle lovers also want to celebrate the festival in their own way.

Die-hard Tesla drivers can do this with the corresponding Christmas jumper from the electric car manufacturer.

Christmas decorations on the car: there is a large selection

Others, on the other hand, also want to give their wheels the appropriate look.

The economy has long since reacted to this: there are now many car decoration items for Christmas.

From the dancing Santa Claus on the dashboard to the reindeer antlers for the windows, everything is included.

However, many car lovers make a mistake and fall into the misconception that everything that is freely available on the market must also be legal - as the case of two Ford Mustangs with Christmas lights in Kaiserslautern recently showed.

Before you start decorating, you should ask yourself the following questions: what is allowed and which car decorations for Christmas are dangerous?

Can every car decoration really be used without restriction at Christmas?

Christmas decoration on a car © IMAGO / Steinach

Christmas decorations on the car: what is allowed inside?

What is forbidden?

The typical classics in the field of car decoration at Christmas time are the miniature Christmas tree for the dashboard and the reindeer costume for the entire car.

Small LED lights on the mini tree create a contemplative atmosphere while driving.

But be careful: Although it is not strictly forbidden to set up the tree, it is not permitted to switch on the light while driving.

According to a directive that applies throughout Europe (ECE R48), interior lighting must not restrict the driver's view or that of other road users.

This means that a miniature Christmas tree can only be installed in cars and trucks if it can also be switched off.

Of course, the same applies to other light decorations for the car.

According to the Road Traffic Act (StVO), only prescribed and approved lighting devices are permitted in and on the vehicle.

Additional lighting in the car could lead to these problems:

  • Restricted visibility for the driver: Especially in the dark, the driver's eyes cannot adjust to the visibility conditions due to the light inside the vehicle.

    The driver would be blinded to a certain extent.

    In addition, the additional light makes it more difficult for the driver to see the displays on the dashboard.

  • Restricted visibility for other drivers and road users: The lighting can also dazzle other people outside the vehicle.

    In addition, the additional light behind the windshield can irritate others, because the lighting equipment on trucks, cars and the like is also stipulated to enable the vehicle to be identified in the dark.

Christmas decorations on the car: What is allowed outside?

What is forbidden?

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It's not just during the World Cup or European Championship that many sports fans say: Decorate the car and drive through the streets with a loud horn!

It's similar at Christmas time: while the national team flew the black, red and gold flags on the car at major football events, reindeer antlers are now sticking out of many windows to create a good atmosphere - including the red nose at the front.

Is that legal?

In principle, this costume is actually permissible, but road safety must be ensured.

The following should be noted:

  • Christmas car decorations should be securely attached to the vehicle.

    This means: The antlers, which are clamped in the panes, must not fall off while driving.

    Because like car flags, reindeer antlers for cars are not designed for very high speeds.

    If you drive faster than 100 km/h, the risk that the deco will fall off is very high.

    That means: With a car decorated with a reindeer costume, you should avoid motorway routes.

  • The front number plate must be clearly recognizable despite the red nose.

    And: The red nose must not shine.

    Because: On the one hand, red lights are not permitted on vehicles at the front, only white ones (§ 49a Road Traffic Licensing Regulations).

    On the other hand, such impermissible lights could also dazzle and/or irritate other road users.



    Can illuminated Christmas decorations be taken on or in the car at all?

    The answer is: No!

    The light must be switched off because certain regulations apply to the lighting in the car.

    Festive decorations are not part of the legally permitted or required lighting.

Control lamps and warning lights in the car: what they mean

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You can find even more exciting car topics in the free newsletter from our partner 24auto.de.

Christmas decorations on the car - conclusion

As beautiful as a conspicuously decorated car may look and as small as the expenses for decoration may be, it is better to avoid decorative items such as fairy lights, Christmas tree balls or the like in order not to risk a fine.

But there is nothing wrong with a miracle tree that smells of cinnamon or baked apple.

But Christmas decorations that distract and endanger the driver or other road users have no place in the car.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-11-29

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