Rules for the light parade

So that everyone arrives safely and the light parade can take place every year: here are our own rules and the German laws and traffic rules that apply to you as a participant – with exact references.

[ priority ]

Stewards and police have the final say at the light parade. Their instructions must be followed without exception.

Above everything else, the conditions of the permit issued by the Oberallgäu district office (Landratsamt) and the instructions of the police and stewards apply. This page is a summary for participants, not legal advice. We will add the conditions from the permit here as soon as we have it.

[ a / our rules ]

Our own rules

01ShineEvery vehicle is decorated – at least one string of lights visible from both sides and from the back.

02Securely attachedAttach everything so that nothing can happen. Don’t skimp on fixings for lights on the outside – better one more roll of tape.

03Nobody is put at riskNeither participants nor spectators. No posing, no drifting, no hard acceleration, no overtaking within the convoy.

04Stewards and police decideThey have the final say. Their instructions must be followed without exception – immediately and without discussion.

05Drive soberAnyone driving a vehicle does so with 0.0 per mille and without drugs or cannabis – from the meeting point to the end.

06Film respectfullyPhotos, videos and livestreams are welcome – as long as the people shown agree. Whoever is driving does not film.

07Lights only in the convoySwitch fairy lights on only at the meeting point and off again after the end – not on the way there or back.

08No violenceNo fights, no threats, no aggression – towards anyone. Stewards sort out any conflicts.

09For the children – non-politicalWe drive for the St. Maria children’s home – purely charitable and non-political. No political flags, banners, slogans, stickers or party advertising, neither on vehicles nor on site.

[ zero tolerance ]

Violations of these rules, of the German road traffic regulations or of the instructions of the police and stewards will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Anyone who breaks them is excluded from the light parade immediately and must leave the convoy. If others are put at risk, we inform the police.

The same applies to political statements: the light parade is a purely charitable event and distances itself from anything political. Political flags, banners, slogans, stickers, party advertising or calls to demonstrations – on vehicles, in announcements or on site – lead to immediate exclusion.

The same applies to violence: physical violence, threats, insults or aggressive behaviour – towards participants, spectators, stewards, police or other people’s vehicles – lead to immediate exclusion; we will call the police.

And the same applies to alcohol and drugs: anyone driving a vehicle who has been drinking or has taken drugs or cannabis does not take part – not even after “just one beer”. Stewards keep an eye on this and exclude anyone where there is good reason to suspect it; the police can check at any time. An exclusion is final.

[ b / legal rules ]

1. An approved event

A light parade uses the road “more than is customary for traffic” and therefore needs a permit; motor vehicles in a closed convoy always count as such use. The organisers must ensure that traffic rules, conditions and requirements are observed – which is why the stewards’ instructions are binding. (§ 29(2) StVO)

Events with motor vehicles that may disturb the peace at night also need a permit. (§ 30(2) StVO)

2. Driving in a closed convoy

The normal traffic rules apply to the convoy “accordingly” – the convoy is treated like one road user. (§ 27(1) StVO)
A convoy only counts as closed if it is clearly recognisable as a convoy to others. For motor vehicles, every single vehicle must be marked as belonging to the convoy. The organisers will announce shortly before the start what the marking looks like for us – please attach it where it is clearly visible. It is easy to remove and leaves no residue, so your vehicle will not be damaged. (§ 27(3) StVO)
If the convoy is long, it must leave gaps for other traffic at reasonable intervals; elsewhere, others may not cut into it. (§ 27(2) StVO)
Whoever leads the convoy ensures that the rules are followed. (§ 27(5) StVO)
Drive close together and evenly, but always with enough distance to brake; no overtaking, no pulling out of line.

3. Traffic lights and junctions

Traffic lights take precedence over right-of-way rules and signs. (§ 37(1) StVO)
Traffic-light rule in a convoy: because a closed convoy counts as one road user, under the common interpretation it may cross a junction completely if the first vehicle entered on green – even if the light has turned red in the meantime. This only applies to a marked convoy (see 2). (§ 27(1) and (3) StVO; see sources for the interpretation)
Signs and instructions given by police officers take precedence over all other rules – including traffic lights. If the police secure or stop a junction, that applies. The duty of care remains. (§ 36(1) StVO)
If in doubt, stop: never endanger pedestrians, cyclists or crossing traffic, never “force your way through”. (§ 1 StVO)

4. Lighting and fairy lights

Normally only the prescribed and approved lights may be fitted to vehicles. Fairy lights are not among them. (§ 49a(1) StVZO)
An exemption is therefore granted for light parades. It only applies to the event: switch fairy lights on only at the meeting point and off again after the end – they stay off on the way there and back. (§ 70 StVZO; see sources for guidance documents)
No blue lights, no lights that look like emergency vehicles, nothing that dazzles others. (§ 52(3) StVZO, § 1 StVO)
Headlights, rear lights, indicators and brake lights must stay uncovered, clean and working; in the dark, drive with dipped headlights. (§ 17(1) and (2) StVO, § 23(1) StVO)
Licence plates must remain clearly legible – don’t cover them or outshine them. (§ 23(1) StVO)
Modifications that could endanger others invalidate the vehicle’s operating permit – so don’t permanently fit anything that isn’t registered. (§ 19(2) StVZO)

5. Fixing, visibility, dimensions

Fix decorations and fairy lights so that they cannot slip, fall off or rattle, even in an emergency stop. (§ 22(1) StVO)
Don’t restrict the driver’s view: windows, mirrors and field of vision stay clear. (§ 23(1) StVO)
Vehicle including decorations no wider than 2.55 m and no higher than 4 m. (§ 22(2) StVO)
Route cables and power supplies safely (no loose cables, no fiddling with them while driving).

6. Behaviour while driving

Constant care and consideration; nobody may be put at risk or obstructed more than unavoidable. (§ 1 StVO)
Horn only as a warning in danger – no horn concerts. (§ 16(1) StVO)
No unnecessary noise: no revving engines, music at a reasonable volume. (§ 30(1) StVO)
Only carry as many people as there are seats with seat belts; nobody on load beds, trailers or outside the vehicle. (§ 21(1) StVO)
Mobile phone: whoever is driving must not hold it – not even to film. Filming and livestreams are done by the passenger. (§ 23(1a) StVO)

7. Alcohol and drugs

Driving with 0.5 per mille or more is an administrative offence; the same applies under the influence of drugs. (§ 24a StVG)
Novice drivers in their probationary period and everyone under 21: 0.0 per mille and no cannabis. (§ 24c StVG)
At the light parade, a stricter rule applies to all drivers: 0.0 per mille, no drugs, no cannabis – see zero tolerance.

8. Vehicle and insurance

Only registered, third-party-insured and roadworthy vehicles may take part. (§ 1 PflVG, § 23(1) StVO)
The same rules apply to trailers, quads and motorbikes; people may only ride on seats intended for them.

Sources

German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO): § 1, § 16, § 17, § 21, § 22, § 23, § 27, § 29, § 30, § 36, § 37 – gesetze-im-internet.de (Federal Office of Justice, in German)
Road Vehicle Registration and Licensing Regulations (StVZO): § 19, § 49a, § 52, § 70 – gesetze-im-internet.de
Road Traffic Act (StVG): § 24a, § 24c; Compulsory Insurance Act: § 1 PflVG
Traffic-light rule in a convoy (interpretation of § 27 StVO): bussgeldkatalog.de – closed convoy, bussgeldkatalog.net – § 27 StVO; a car parade without marking is not a closed convoy: iww.de – case law
Fairy lights only with an exemption under § 70 StVZO, only during the event: guidance on light parades (LASuV Saxony, 2026), rules on light parades (Rhineland-Palatinate transport ministry), top agrar – examples from other German states; in Bavaria, the permit from the district office applies.

As of: 30 October 2026 · The German version is authoritative. · back to the light parade