Whether you are a regular or a newcomer at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, it is always an exciting place to be where you are surrounded by cars and car fanatics. But where there are lots of cars there is always the long arm of the law on the lookout for troublemakers. With their sharp eyes and stern attitudes, it's no wonder that some drivers find themselves in hot water for [what they may think are] the most minor of offenses. So, to help you stay out of trouble and avoid the wrath of the Nürburgring police, we've put together some top tips.
Keep it slow and steady.
The Nürburgring GP and the Nordschleife are racetracks there is no denying that, they give you the freedom to push on and drive without many of the worries of the road in a safe and controlled environment.
But when you get off that track, the police [plus locals and other road users] would much prefer it if you took things slow and steady. Stick to the speed limits and avoid aggressive driving, there are some fantastic roads around the area that can be driven in a spirited but safe and legal manner, it is especially important to observe speed limits through the many small villages that surround the track and local area. Doing this you'll be much less likely to attract attention.
Wear your seatbelt.
This might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people pop off the belts [especially if they have full harnesses in the car] then forget to put them back on when they leave the car parks. It is the perfect excuse for the police to pull you over and then to start to have a much closer look at the rest of your car.
Keep your car roadworthy.
The Nürburgring is a challenging track, and if your car isn't up to scratch, you're asking for trouble. Make sure your brakes, tires, and suspension are all in good condition and are all road legal before hitting the track. The police will be much less likely to stop you for a chat if your car looks and sounds like it belongs on the road.
One argument that you regularly see on forums is “But its legal in my country”, If your vehicle is legally registered in one EU country, it should generally be allowed to circulate freely within other EU countries, including Germany, without having to comply with each individual country's specific road laws. However, this doesn't mean you're exempt from all local regulations. You still need to follow general road rules, such as speed limits, parking restrictions, and other traffic regulations.
In some cases, if your vehicle is found to be in breach of certain safety or environmental standards that are significantly different from the German road laws, you may be subject to fines or other penalties. This could include situations where your vehicle's emissions exceed local limits or if it has modifications that are deemed unsafe.
It is important to note that each situation may be different, and the outcome may depend on the specific circumstances and the discretion of the police officer.
IE as with the Worthersee incident, if an officer feels your vehicle is unsafe or unfit for German roads they may take whatever action they feel appropriate. Official Guidelines: LINK
Worthersee Incident: LINK
*Top Tip*
One of the top reasons people get pulled over for that first chat is oversized windscreen sun strips. The sun strip can be no more than 10% of the windscreen, by having two 3mm cuts spaced equally across the strip it changes it from a window banner to 3 individual stickers, as long as the stickers don't impair the driver's vision, they're not illegal.
Don't make too much noise.
We get it, you want to show off your souped-up engine and exhaust from Halfords that you can get your arm up. But there's a time and a place for that, and the high street in Adenau is not it. Keep your revving to a minimum and try not to make too much noise. The police will appreciate it, and so will the locals.
Don’t show off
We saw some epic fails last year on the boulevard where people saw a crowd and, in their heads, thought that fated line “watch this”. It rarely ends well and as below you could become famous on YouTube and in memes across forums for crashing whilst showing off.
The Attitude Test
Finally, remember to be polite. If the police do pull you over, don't argue or get confrontational, it may just be a random spot check or genuinely there may be an issue with your car. Just be polite and cooperative, and they'll be much more likely to let you off with some advice. Plus, it never hurts to be nice.
So there you have it, our top tips for avoiding the attention of the Nürburgring police. Follow these guidelines, and you'll be able to enjoy your time on the track without any unnecessary hassles. Join the discussion on the forums
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