Where must you wait?

In Germany, when you approach a Stop sign with a stop line marked on the road, you must always stop at the stop line itself. This is the point where your vehicle must come to a complete stop, not ahead or behind it. The reason for stopping at the stop line is to ensure you are in the correct position to observe traffic on the intersecting road safely.

Stopping at the stop line allows you enough space to clearly see vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians approaching from the crossing street before you proceed. Stopping too far forward (for example, at the point where you can see along the road or at the traffic lights) could interfere with other traffic or reduce safety.

So, the key rule is: Always stop exactly at the stop line, and check carefully for other traffic before moving on. This ensures maximum safety and compliance with German traffic regulations.