Who is responsible for the roadworthiness of a licensed vehicle?

In Germany, both the driver and the owner of a vehicle are responsible for its roadworthiness. This means they share the duty to ensure that the vehicle is in safe working condition and complies with all legal requirements. The driver must operate the vehicle with care and ensure that it meets safety standards at the time of driving, while the owner is responsible for maintaining the vehicle in a roadworthy state.

The motor liability insurance company does not have responsibility for the roadworthiness of the vehicle. Their role is to provide financial coverage in case of accidents and damages, not to ensure that the vehicle itself is safe to drive. Therefore, it's important to select both the driver and the owner as they collectively bear the responsibility under German traffic regulations. Understanding this helps in recognizing the shared obligations between vehicle operation and ownership.