der  Bußgeldbescheid

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʊsɡɛltbəˌʃaɪt/

📜 What Exactly is a Bußgeldbescheid?

A Bußgeldbescheid (article: der) is an official notice from a German authority (Behörde) imposing a fine (Bußgeld) for an administrative offense (Ordnungswidrigkeit). You typically receive one for minor violations, especially in traffic (e.g., speeding, illegal parking), but also for other regulatory infractions (e.g., noise complaints, violation of registration duties).

The notice informs the recipient about:

• The specific accusation (Tatbestand)
• The amount of the fine (Höhe des Bußgeldes)
• Any additional charges (fees, expenses - Gebühren, Auslagen)
• Potentially a driving ban (Fahrverbot) or penalty points (Punkte in Flensburg)
• Information on legal remedies (how to appeal - Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung)

🚨 Important: A Bußgeldbescheid is not a Strafbefehl, which is issued for criminal offenses. It deals with administrative offenses only.

🧐 Grammar Check: Der Bußgeldbescheid

The word "Bußgeldbescheid" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Der Bußgeldbescheid kam heute mit der Post. (The fine notice arrived in the mail today.)
2. Der Anwalt prüft die Rechtmäßigkeit des Bußgeldbescheides. (The lawyer is checking the legality of the fine notice.)
3. Ich muss dem Bußgeldbescheid widersprechen. (I have to object to the fine notice.)
4. Er hat den Bußgeldbescheid ignoriert. (He ignored the fine notice.)
5. Die Behörde verschickte letzte Woche viele Bußgeldbescheide. (The authority sent out many fine notices last week.)

✉️ When and How to Use "Bußgeldbescheid"?

The term "Bußgeldbescheid" primarily belongs to legal and administrative language in German. You use it when talking about the official document that imposes a fine.

• Typical Contexts: Traffic violations (received a speed camera ticket), minor administrative offenses (violation of noise regulations), official procedures.
• Distinction: An offer for a warning fine (Verwarnungsgeldangebot, often up to €55) is not yet a Bußgeldbescheid. Only if you don't pay this, or for higher amounts, a fine procedure (Bußgeldverfahren) is initiated, which can result in a Bußgeldbescheid. Colloquially, people might call parking tickets (Strafzettel, Knöllchen) a Bußgeldbescheid, even if they are formally just offers for a Verwarnungsgeld.
• Significance: The word emphasizes the official, legally binding nature of the document. It triggers deadlines (payment deadline, appeal deadline - Zahlungsfrist, Einspruchsfrist).

💡 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'Bescheid' (notice, decision) as being like 'der Brief' (the letter) it arrives in. Both are masculine. So it's der Bußgeldbescheid.

Meaning Mnemonic: You have to pay a 'Buße' (penalty/fine) because you did something wrong. You get official 'Bescheid' (notice) about it. That's the Bußgeld-Bescheid (fine notice).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms:

• Mahnung: Reminder/dunning letter for an overdue payment (e.g., an invoice).
• Rechnung: Invoice/bill for goods or services.
• Strafbefehl: Penalty order issued for criminal offenses, not administrative ones.

😄 A Little Chuckle

Richter: "Bekennen Sie sich schuldig, mit 120 km/h durch die geschlossene Ortschaft gefahren zu sein?" Angeklagter: "Wie soll ich das wissen? Ich hatte es so eilig, da konnte ich doch nicht auf den Tacho schauen!" Richter: "Keine Sorge, das übernimmt bald der Bußgeldbescheid für Sie."

Translation:
Judge: "Do you plead guilty to driving 120 km/h through the town?"
Defendant: "How should I know? I was in such a hurry, I couldn't possibly look at the speedometer!"
Judge: "Don't worry, the Bußgeldbescheid will take care of that for you soon."

📄 A Poem About the Notice

Ein Blitz, ein Foto, kaum bemerkt,
Die Freude schnell dahingewelkt.
Wochen später, grau und schlicht,
liegt er im Kasten, das Gedicht:
Der Bußgeldbescheid, streng und klar,
macht klar, was falsch im Verkehr war.
Zahlen, Fristen, Paragrafen,
die den Geldbeutel arg strafen.

Translation:
A flash, a photo, barely seen,
Joy quickly faded from the scene.
Weeks later, gray and plain,
It lies in the mailbox, this refrain:
The fine notice, strict and clear,
Shows what went wrong in traffic here.
Numbers, deadlines, paragraphs,
That punish wallets with hard laughs.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich komme per Post, bin selten willkommen,
hab' Zahlen und Fristen mit mir genommen.
Für falsches Parken oder zu schnelles Fahren,
muss man für mich oft Euros sparen.
Ich bin offiziell, von der Behörde gemacht,
wer nicht zahlt, hat Ärger über Nacht.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I arrive by mail, am seldom welcome,
I've brought numbers and deadlines with me, burdensome.
For parking wrong or driving too fast,
You often must save Euros, making cash last.
I'm official, made by the state's decree,
Ignore me, and trouble's guaranteed.

What am I?

Solution: Der Bußgeldbescheid (The fine notice)

🧩 Further Details on Bußgeldbescheid

Word Composition

The word "Bußgeldbescheid" is a compound noun, made up of:

• Das Bußgeld: The fine/penalty payment for an administrative offense. (Composed of 'die Buße' = penance, penalty and 'das Geld' = money)
• Der Bescheid: An official, binding notice or decision from an authority.

So: A notice about a fine.

Trivia

• The legal basis for Bußgeldbescheide in Germany is the Ordnungswidrigkeitengesetz (OWiG) - Administrative Offenses Act.
• You can usually file an Einspruch (objection/appeal) against a Bußgeldbescheid within two weeks of receiving it.
• If the objection is rejected, the case may proceed to court.