Broke down on the motorway without petrol: This is what you can do

If you have forgotten to fill up or the fuel gauge is acting up, you can quickly get stuck on the motorway without petrol. We show you what to do now and what penalties you may face.

Fuel gauge broken down on the motorway: These are the right steps to take

First of all, park the car as far to the right as possible on the hard shoulder, put on the high-visibility waistcoat, set up the warning triangle and go to the area behind the crash barrier.

• Under no circumstances should you make your own way to the nearest petrol station. The best thing to do is to call a breakdown service.

• Indicate directly what fuel you need. As a rule, the breakdown service should be with you within 30 minutes at the latest.
  • As a general rule, as soon as the fuel gauge lights up, you should drive to refuel. The manual will tell you how much petrol is left in the tank when the indicator comes on. Usually there are around seven litres left.
  • To be on the safe side, you should not drive more than 50 km with the fuel gauge lit up. If the tank is very empty, it can also cause expensive damage to the fuel pump.

  No more petrol on the motorway: These are the penalties

  If you break down on the motorway, you do not have to pay a fine, of course. However, running out of petrol is considered avoidable and is therefore an administrative offence.

  • If you stop on the motorway for less than three minutes, you will be fined 35 euros. If you stop for more than three minutes, you will be fined 70 euros.
    • Danger to other road users can make matters worse. If an accident with other vehicles occurs due to the lack of petrol, it is a case of gross negligence.
      
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