A technical modification to your vehicle means that the operating licence is extinguished. What consequences should you anticipate if you nevertheless use the vehicle on public roads?

When you make an unauthorized technical modification to your vehicle that causes the operating license to be extinguished, it becomes illegal to drive it on public roads. This leads to three main consequences under German traffic law:

1. You can be fined by public authorities because driving a vehicle without a valid operating license violates road safety regulations.
2. The offense is recorded in the Central Register of Road Traffic Offenders, which tracks serious violations and can affect your driving privileges.
3. Your insurance coverage is void, meaning that if an accident occurs, the insurer may refuse to pay damages, leaving you personally liable.

It is important to understand that any technical changes that affect vehicle approval must be officially inspected and approved to maintain roadworthiness and legal driving status.