Driving ban ignored: man drives to the court hearing without a license!

Driving ban ignored: man drives to the court hearing without a license!

A 61-year-old man from Gilching is currently causing a stir after he had to answer to the Starnberg district court on July 14, 2025 for driving without a license. The man already had a criminal record because he lost his driver's license on June 9, 2022 due to drunk driving. In July 2024, he was also stopped by Munich police officers on the Salzburg motorway without a driver's license, which didn't make the situation any easier.

At the court hearing, the accused pointedly placed his vehicle key on the table and emphasized that although he was not allowed to drive a car, it was legally permissible to own a vehicle. However, the public prosecutor did not want to accept this argument. She warned the Gautingen police about the possibility that the man could get back behind the wheel after the trial. And indeed: After he left the court, the officers in Gilching found him behind the wheel of a car, which further complicated the already tense legal situation.

The legal consequences

Driving without a license is considered a serious crime in Germany and can result in severe penalties. Experts agree that penalties vary depending on whether someone has never had a driver's license, has had it revoked, or has been banned from driving. According to the information from Wehner law firm The punishment for driving without a license can range from fines up to 180 daily rates or even up to 12 months in prison, especially for repeat offenders like Gilchinger.

In addition, the man now faces further consequences. In the event of an accident, his motor vehicle liability insurance could refuse coverage or even demand reimbursement of up to 5,000 euros. In addition, he would have to be prepared for a detailed examination of his driving behavior, as traffic law points can also be collected in Flensburg, which can lead to a license suspension.

An unexpected ending

The police responded promptly to the prosecutor's information. A little later, the older gentleman was found not only driving his own car, but also without a driver's license. His surprise at the police check is quickly followed by the seizure of his vehicle and the confiscation of the vehicle registration document. After being processed for identification purposes, he was finally released, but the legal consequences of his actions are not yet foreseeable.

The ban on driving with a revoked or expired driver's license should not be underestimated and often causes significant legal problems - that is exactly what the Gilchinger is experiencing, who is not in this situation for the first time. Like the experts from ADAC emphasize, it is crucial to take traffic regulations seriously, as penalties can range up to a year in prison or large fines.

Legal advisors have also found what they are looking for and recommend getting help with even minor legal violations. Because in the world of transport there is no room for negligence - a circumstance that the Gilchinger is now having to experience painfully.