Driving in Germany

Many people visit Germany just to drive fast on German motorways (Autobahns), yes, there are certain sections on German motorways (Autobahn) where you can legally drive as fast as you can. But speed also kills and certain rules and regulations must be followed to ensure the safety of all road users.

This website helps guest drivers and expatriates in Germany to understand the complete traffic regulation system of Germany. Following is the list of topics and sub-topics included in this website.

(i) Driver's licence
  1. Documents a driver must carry while driving
  2. Toursits and Short Term Visitors with International Driver's License
  3. Validity of Driver's License Issued from a non-EU/EEA Country
    1. Visitors with a Short Stay (up to one year)
    2. Visitors with a Longer Stay (more than a year)
    3. Convertable Driver's License from different countries
    4. Driving in Germany with an Australian Licence
    5. Driving in Germany with a US Licence
    6. Driving in Germany with a Canadian Licence
    7. How to Convert a Foreign Driver's License to German Driver's License?
  4. Validity of Driver's License Issued from an EU/EEA Country
  5. How to Get a New Driver's License in Germany?

(ii) Driver's license categories

Details of different categories and classes in driver's license

  1. Moped and Motorcycle License
  2. Passenger Car License
  3. Truck License
  4. Bus License
  5. Tractor and Forklift License

(iii) Buying and importing cars
  1. Buying a used car in Germany
    1. Odometer Manipulation
  2. How to register a used car on your name?
  3. Cost of vehicle registration
  4. Importing a vehicle to Germany
    1. Import from a non-EU Country
    2. Importing a Vehicle from an EU Memeber State

(iv) General traffic laws and regulations
  1. Personal Safety and Mandatory Equipment in the Vehicle
  2. Speed Limit in German cities
  3. 30 ZONE
  4. Two Types of Speed Limits in Germany
  5. Two-lane Expressway
  6. Speed Limit on Roads Outside City Limits
  7. Advisory Speed Limit Indicator
  8. Priority Road
  9. Right before Left
  10. Tailgating
  11. Traffic Calming Zones
  12. No Entry Signs in Germany
  13. One-way Street (Einbahnstraße)
  14. German Railroad Crossing

(v) Driving on Autobahn
  1. What is Autobahn?
  2. Important Rules and Tips for driving on Autobahn
    1. Autobahn Speed Limit
    2. Minimum Required Speed on Autobahn
    3. Use of Hard Shoulders on the Autobahn
    4. Important Rules to Remember while Driving on Autobahn
  3. Actions Prohibited on Autobahn
  4. Important Road Signs on Autobahn
  5. Autobahn Map
  6. Routes on Autobahn suitable for highspeed (above 120 kph/75 mph)

(vi) Tire laws in Germany
  1. General tire laws in Germany
  2. German winter tire laws
    1. Violation of winter tire obligation
    2. Vehicles that do not require winter tires
  3. Installation of mixed tires on a vehicle

(vii) Penalties on traffic violations
  1. Types of traffic fines in Germany
  2. Traffic Point System
  3. Traffic Fines for Foreigners
  4. Amount of Fine
  5. Driving Ban
  6. Fine for Cyclists
  7. Fine for Pedestrians

(viii) In case of a traffic accident in Germay
  1. What to do after a road accident?
  2. How to share a location with emergency services?
  3. Calling auto recovery service
  4. Role of health insurance

(ix) Parking in Germany
  1. Parking Signs in Germany
  2. Parking Management Zone
  3. Parking on Sidewalk
  4. Parking Signs with Directions
  5. Parking Disc in Germany
    1. How to use Parking Disc in Germany?
  6. Difference between parking and stopping
  7. No Stopping & No Parking Signs
    1. No Stopping Signs in Germany
    2. No Parking Signs in Germany
    3. Explanation of NO STOPPING / NO PARKING Signs with Arrows
  8. Parking Restriction Zone
  9. General No-Stop / No Parking Areas
  10. Temporary No Parking Signs
  11. Parking in a One-Way Street
  12. Penalties for Wrong Parking

(x) Environmental zones in Germany

This page discusses different zones according to vehicle emission rules.

(xi) Right-of-way / priority rules
  1. Right-of-Way, General Rules
  2. Right-of-Way in Parallel Moving Traffic
  3. Right-of-Way while Changing Lanes
  4. Right-of-Way in Intersecting Traffic
  5. Right before Left
  6. Exceptions to Right before Left Rule
  7. Traffic Signs Regulating Right-of-Way
  8. Right-of-way on Curved Priority Roads
    1. Traffic Rules at an Intersection on a Curved Priority Road
  9. Traffic Signals in Germany
    1. Left Turn on Green
    2. Left Turn on Red
    3. Right Turn on Red
  10. Rules for Pedestrians
  11. Roundabout Rules in Germany

(xii) Important road signs in Germany
  1. Categories of German Road Signs
  2. Some Confusing Signs with Similar Appearances
    1. Pedestrian Crossing Sign
    2. Warning Signs with Supplementary Signs
    3. German Speed Limit Sign
    4. Speed Zone
    5. Same Symbol in Different Groups
    6. Road Signs with Arrows
    7. Descent and Ascent Signs
    8. No Motorcycles Allowed Sign
    9. No Restrictions Sign
    10. City Name Signs
    11. Road Number Signs
    12. Sings with Extra Hidden Meanings
      1. Uncontrolled Intersection
      2. No Motor Vehicles Allowed
    13. Customs Office Sign
    14. Driveway Sign
  3. Common Road Signs in Germany
    1. Warning Signs
    2. Railroad crossing signs
    3. Priority Signs
    4. Compulsory Direction Control Signs
    5. Mandatory Signs
    6. No Entry Signage
    7. Speed Limit Signage
    8. No Passing Signs
    9. No Standing Signs
    10. No Parking Signs
    11. Parking Signs
    12. Types of Highways
    13. Direction Signs
    14. Detour Signs
    15. Service Signs
    16. Tourist Information Signs

(xiii) List of all road signs in Germany

A detailed list of current road signs in Germany.

(xiv) Road markings

Explanation of markings painted on roads.

  1. Solid White Line
  2. Broken White Line
  3. Solid and Broken White Line
  4. Directional Arrows
  5. Advance Notice Arrow
  6. Arrow Indicating a Lane End
  7. Stop Line
  8. Wait Line
  9. No Parking Road Marking
  10. Pedestrian Crossing Marking
  11. Road Markings in a Construction Area
  12. Cycle Lane
  13. Tipps regarding Road Markings and Speed Limits
  14. Bus Lane
  15. Parking Lot Striping

(xv) Vehicle insurance
  1. Types of Vehicle Insurance in Germany
    1. Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung (Liability Coverage)
    2. Teilkaskoversicherung (Partial Coverage Insurance)
    3. Vollkaskoversicherung (Comprehensive Insurance)
  2. Factors that can Affect Car Insurance Cost
  3. What is Schadenfreiheitsklasse (SF Class)?
  4. Switching car insurance
  5. Insurance of Rental Cars
  6. International Green Card
  7. Multi Vehicles Insurance
  8. Acquisition of SF Class from a Third Party
  9. Transfer of SF Class from Motorcycle to Car
  10. Carsharing Experience

(xvi) Driving Training Areas (Verkehrsübungsplatze)

Database of driving practicing areas (Verkehrsübungsplatze) in Germany.

(xvii) Traffic-related German vocabulary

Some common German language words regarding traffic system and words used in repair workshops.

(xviii) Tuning and performance

What is allowed and what is not while upgrading performance and database of tuning and performance companies in Germany.

(xix) Public transport

Details about traveling with the German railway (Deutsche Bahn), Buses and air transport.

Explore Other Topics

Home | Driver's Licence | Driver's license categories | Buying and importing cars | Car inspection in Germany (TÜV) | General Traffic laws and regulations | Driving on Autobahn | Tire regulations | Penalties on Traffic Violations | In case of an accident | Vehicle Parking system in Geramny | Environmental zones in Germany | Right-of-way | Important road signs | List of all road signs | Road markings | Vehicle insurance | Driving training area | Traffic-related German vocabulary | Tuning and performance | Public transport