Can German police require U.S. Forces drivers to pay a warning fee for minor traffic violations?

German police are not authorized to require U.S. Forces drivers to pay warning fees for minor traffic violations. This stems from the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which outlines the legal status of U.S. forces stationed in Germany and their personnel. According to the agreement, U.S. military members are subject to U.S. laws and military regulations, rather than the host nation's traffic laws and penalties for minor infractions.

While U.S. Forces drivers must still adhere to German traffic laws, any enforcement actions, including penalties, are typically managed through military channels rather than through the local enforcement mechanisms. Hence, the concept of a warning fee, which is a form of immediate financial penalty enforced by local authorities, does not apply to U.S. military personnel.

This framework ensures that U.S. service members are treated consistently according to the terms agreed upon by NATO, maintaining a clear legal distinction between local and military jurisdiction in such matters.