Non-compliance with parking rules is the most common administrative offense in Germany, if you will – a mass sport or a disaster
As Deutsche Welle notes, this violation can cost from 10 euros for exceeding free parking time by half an hour to several hundred euros under unfavorable circumstances – for example, if the car blocks a fire access (Feuerwehrzufahrt) and is subject to towing. In these cases, the fine is 35 euros – if the car only theoretically obstructed, 65 euros and one penalty point in the database of the Federal Motor Transport Authority – if firefighters or rescuers actually could not pass. Plus the cost of towing and bureaucratic procedures.
60 euros and one penalty point – if you simply park in a prohibited place and obstruct the passage of special vehicles – for example, leave the car in a prohibited place on a narrow street.
An almost 100% way to lose a hundred or two euros is to park in a disabled parking spot (Behindertenparkplatz) without the appropriate permit. In these cases, it is better not to rely on the tolerance of law enforcement officers and others. Even in cities with a relatively liberal enforcement policy, such cars are towed as quickly as possible. The fine is 35 euros plus the cost of towing and administrative fees.
A few more selected items from the current price list. Parking in the second row, i.e., leaving the car in the middle of the road – from 20 to 35 euros. Parking within a five-meter zone from intersections, garage exits and private plots, or at public transport stops and taxi stands – from 10 to 30 euros. Inefficient use of parking space, i.e., sprawling over two spots – 10 euros. Parking without paying at the parking meter or exceeding paid parking time – from 10 to 30 euros (30 euros if parked without payment for more than three hours).
Also note that the right to take a free parking spot in Germany belongs to whoever arrives first. Attempting to take that spot, for example, when another driver is preparing to back into it, will cost 10 euros. Obstructing other cars from exiting – 20 euros. Exiting the car without taking precautions – 15-25 euros. Most often, cyclists passing by become victims of suddenly opened doors.
In some cases, to correctly understand the signs indicating on which day of the week, for how long, and under what other conditions you can leave the car in that particular place, you need not only a good knowledge of German but also some peculiarities of German legislation. For example, Saturday is considered a working day in Germany. If the sign says that paid parking on the street applies "Werktags," then it is free only on Sundays and official holidays.
A separate story is the rules for using parking discs (Parkscheibe), on which you must set the arrival time at a free parking lot. They are important if the sign says, for example: "Nur mit Parkscheibe 2 Stunden Mo-Fr 10-16 Uhr" ("Only with parking disc 2 hours Mon-Fri 10 am-4 pm").
Usually, the arrival time that needs to be set on such cardboard clocks is rounded up to the nearest half hour. If you arrived at 11:15, you need to set the clock to 11:30. Accordingly, if free parking at that location is limited to two hours, you must leave the parking lot by 1:30 pm. Usually, controllers are tolerant of a half-hour overstay. Run to the car at 1:30 pm and wind it forward another two hours? Officially, this trick does not work. If during the previous control pass "11:30" was recorded, a fine will be issued despite the driver's ingenuity.
There are chronic cases where the war against controllers becomes a way of life. That is, someone demonstratively leaves the car in a prohibited place, considering that specific prohibition unjustified. For example, near their own store in a pedestrian zone. In such situations, controllers will first issue regular fines, and then double fines.
In case of particular persistence, the driver faces a medical-psychological assessment (MPU), the so-called "idiot test" (Idiotentest), which is usually required for those caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Those who regularly and persistently violate parking rules risk their driver's license. However, this requires a lot of effort.
Rumors that municipalities patch holes in their budgets at the expense of drivers are greatly exaggerated. German city authorities unanimously claim that this area of activity is subsidized, i.e., fines do not cover all costs of maintaining controllers, administrative staff, and technical infrastructure. Maintaining order, not filling the coffers, is their task. The "real" police can also issue fines for illegal parking, but this is not their primary function.
Ordinary – vigilant – citizens also have the right to report information about "parking sinners" (Parksünder) to the public order office. To do this, you need to indicate the time, place, and attach a photo. The complaint will be processed, and the car owner will receive a letter asking them to contest the complaint or pay the fine.
Some such voluntary helpers become local celebrities. Hunting for violators is not just a hobby for them, but a calling! One such vigilant citizen, nicknamed "Knöllchen Horst" from Lower Saxony, gained nationwide fame. "Horst the Finesinator," let's call him, once managed to complain to the authorities about a rescue helicopter that landed to provide emergency care to a heart attack patient.
This gentleman, in all seriousness, tried to get a fine ticket issued to the pilot for parking in an unauthorized spot. As reported by the local press, the authorities, also in all seriousness, sent him a copy of the permit to land anywhere and wished that the complainant himself, should something happen to him, would not end up in a situation where a rescue helicopter cannot find a place to land.