Dog seat belt compulsory in Germany

Securing your dog in the car

When travelling abroad, it is important to familiarise yourself in advance with the specific traffic rules that apply in the country concerned. These rules are not always obvious. Securing your dog in the car with a seat belt is a clear and current example of this. If you are going on holiday to Germany or travelling through the country, you are required to secure your dog safely in the car, for example with a dog seat belt, a travel kennel or behind a dog guard.

No danger on the road

Not every country currently has legal requirements relating to the transport of animals in cars. In general, you must not cause danger on the road. This is, of course, a very broad definition, because when does transporting animals become so unsafe that it could create a danger on the road? Fortunately, using common sense already goes a long way.

The driver is responsible for road safety

In Germany, the rules relating to the transport of animals are clearer. According to Section 23 of the German Road Traffic Regulations, the driver is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle’s road safety is not affected by its load or occupants, including animals. In Germany, you are therefore required to secure your dog safely in the car. If this rule is not observed, the driver risks receiving a warning or a fine. When transporting animals in Germany, it is therefore important to take the following points into account:

• The driver must prevent themselves from being distracted or put at risk by an animal moving freely inside the vehicle.
• If the driver has not taken measures to ensure the road safety of the vehicle while transporting animals, this may lead to insurance-related problems.
• If animals are not transported properly, they may injure the occupants. For example, in a collision at 50 km/h, the body is subjected to a force equal to thirty times its own body weight. For the safety of both the animal and the occupants, it is therefore important to secure the animal properly, for example with a special dog seat belt.
• When you take a pet in the car, it may be covered by passenger insurance. If your pet is injured during transport, the costs are often fully or partially covered by your insurer’s passenger insurance. You can check whether this applies to your insurance in the policy conditions or by contacting your insurer.

Unpredictable behaviour caused by stress

Apart from the fact that it is extremely unsafe for animals, just as it is for people, to travel unsecured in the car, and that this is prohibited in Germany, it can also create dangerous situations for other road users. For many animals, motorised transport is not a pleasant experience at all. Many animals become stressed and may therefore start to behave unpredictably. As a driver, this may startle you, with potentially serious consequences.

Seat belt, crate or transport box

When taking your dog on holiday or transporting pets in general, make sure you do so safely. Special dog seat belts are available, allowing you to transport your four-legged companion comfortably and responsibly. For smaller dogs and cats, a crate or transport box may be a good solution. However, make sure that it is secured properly. If you transport an animal in a crate and leave it unsecured in the boot or on the back seat, the situation is still unsafe.