You are ready to leave, but an unfamiliar car is blocking your driveway or garage. In Germany you have options, but the safest approach is to act in the right order and preserve evidence.
Photograph the number plate, the vehicle’s position and the time. Check whether the driver has left a contact option. If the obstruction remains, contact the local public order office; call the police in an urgent or dangerous situation. On private property, German self-help rules may permit towing, but costs and proportionality should be assessed first.
What to do first
Document the complete situation before taking action. One close-up of the number plate is not enough: the photos should also show how the driveway is blocked. Note the time and look nearby for the driver.
- Photograph the plate, vehicle and blocked access.
- Check the windscreen for a QR contact point or a clear note.
- Do not move or damage the vehicle yourself.
- Keep records of calls and any towing invoice.
Public order office, police or towing service?
Parking enforcement is normally handled by the local public order office. The police are the right contact when there is immediate danger, an emergency route is blocked or no competent office can be reached. Emergency numbers must only be used for genuine emergencies.
On private property, section 859 of the German Civil Code can allow the person in possession to end an unlawful interference. That does not make every towing decision risk-free: necessity, location, evidence and costs still matter. If in doubt, obtain legal advice.
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Why an anonymous contact point can help
A visible QR/NFC contact point on your own car gives affected people a quick way to message you without exposing either person’s phone number. It is not a guarantee against towing and does not replace traffic rules, but it can resolve an everyday obstruction before it escalates.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not publish the plate or identifiable people on social media. Do not attach your private phone number to a stranger’s car, and never threaten or damage the vehicle. Clear evidence and a proportionate response protect you far better.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a car towed from my private driveway?
German civil-law self-help may allow this when your possession is unlawfully disturbed. Document the obstruction and consider necessity and cost risk before commissioning a tow.
Who pays for towing?
The person responsible may ultimately owe the necessary costs, but the person ordering the tow may initially have to pay and recover them later.
Should I call the police?
Use the police for urgent danger or blocked emergency access. Ordinary parking enforcement is usually handled by the local public order office.
Does a phone number prevent towing?
No. A contact option is not a legal guarantee and authorities may act immediately where the obstruction requires it.
Conclusion: Document first, try a safe contact route and involve the competent authority when necessary. Towing can be possible on private property, but it should remain a proportionate, well-documented last step.
