Polizei / Landespolizeidirektion letter explained in English
Police. The police. In some places, such as Vienna, the Landespolizeidirektion also handles traffic fines.
Letters you may get
- Strafverfügung — a fine; you can object (Einspruch) within 2 weeks
- Anonymverfügung — a fine for the car owner; pay it in time
- Lenkererhebung — you must say who was driving
- Ladung — you must come to the police station
What to do
- If they ask who drove your car, you must answer within 2 weeks — even if it was you.
- For an Anonymverfügung, pay with the payment slip or the exact reference. Otherwise your payment may not be matched.
- Find the deadline. Look for “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“Beschwerde”, “Vorstellung”, “Einspruch”, “Beschwerde”). See the template.
Words you may see
- Einspruch
- Objection, for example to a fine (Strafverfügung, within 2 weeks) or to a court payment order (Zahlungsbefehl).
- Strafverfügung
- Fine from the police or district authority. You can object (Einspruch) within 2 weeks after delivery.
- Anonymverfügung
- Fine sent to the car owner when the driver is not known. You can’t object to it.
- Lenkerauskunft
- Request to the car owner to say who was driving.
Questions
What is the Polizei / Landespolizeidirektion?
Police. The police. In some places, such as Vienna, the Landespolizeidirektion also handles traffic fines.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Polizei / Landespolizeidirektion?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb” — they mark the deadline. In Austria, an official letter sent by normal post usually counts as delivered on the 3rd working day after it was posted. A registered letter (RSa or RSb) counts as delivered on the day you get it — or, if you were not home, usually on the first day you can pick it up at the post office. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“Beschwerde”, “Vorstellung”, “Einspruch”, “Beschwerde”).
Can I read a Polizei / Landespolizeidirektion letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in German. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Austria
Finanzamt Österreich · Familienbeihilfe (Finanzamt Österreich) · AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice) · Magistrat / Bezirkshauptmannschaft · MA 35 / Niederlassungsbehörde · Meldeamt / Meldeservice · ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) · SVS (Sozialversicherung der Selbständigen)