Driving while taking medication in Germany (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: In Germany, long-term treatment with medicines that reduces driving performance below the required level means a person is not fit to drive. A medicine taken as prescribed is a defence to the cannabis and listed-substance offences. The licence authority withdraws the licence if the holder is unfit.

RuleWhat applies
Legal rule on medicines and drivingMedicationA driver is not fit to drive a car if long-term treatment with medicines causes poisoning or reduces driving performance below the required level (FeV Annex 4, no. 9.6). [1]
Warning labels on medicinesMedication⚠ Not yet verified
Defence for prescribed medicinesMedicationThe offences in section 24a (1a) and (2) StVG (cannabis and listed substances in the blood) do not apply if the substance comes from taking, as intended, a medicine prescribed for a specific illness. [2]
Who judges fitness to driveMedicationThe driving licence authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) withdraws the licence if the holder proves unfit to drive, in particular where an illness or defect listed in Annexes 4, 5 or 6 FeV exists. [3]
PenaltyMedicationDriving a motor vehicle under the effect of a listed intoxicating substance is an administrative offence punishable by a fine of up to EUR 3,000 (section 24a(2) and (3) StVG). The offence does not apply if the substance comes from taking, as intended, a medicine prescribed for a specific illness (section 24a(4)). [2]

Notes

  • Germany has no rule in the traffic law on warning labels for medicines. Labelling of medicines is set in medicines law, which was not checked here.
  • The defence covers cannabis (THC) and the substances listed in the annex to section 24a. It does not cover alcohol or driving that is unsafe for other reasons.

Sources

  1. Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV) Anlage 4 Eignung und bedingte Eignung zum Führen von Kraftfahrzeugen (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): Straßenverkehrsgesetz (StVG) § 24a 0,5 Promille-Grenze, Tetrahydrocannabinol-Grenzwert (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  3. Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV) § 46 Entziehung, Beschränkung, Auflagen (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.