getting around germany

7/27/2019 Getting Around Germany

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National TransportDriving Basics & Renting a Car

This page last updated August 13, 2010This page covers some of the essential points you'll need to know about driving in Germany as wellas basic information about renting a car.

On this page:Rental carsFuelBreakdownsMapsTraffic lawsRoadsOther sites of interest

Rental carsRenting a car in Germany entails about the same as itdoes in the US. Most of the major US and European carrental agencies are represented in Germany including

Avis, Hertz, Budget, Alamo, Sixt, and Europcar. Rentalcars are available at all airports and many major rail

stations and other city locations, although you'll often paymore for the convenience of the latter.For Americans, the best deals are usually available bybooking with a US firm before departure. You will not onlyget the best rate, but it will be set in US dollars. You will

need to book these at least 14 days before you plan to pick-up the vehicle. Rental rates varyconsiderably between the various companies, but all are fairly competitive. Call around or check theweb to get the best rate. Alternatively, you can use a consolidator service like AutoEurope. Once youfind the best rate and firm-up your itinerary, reserve right away to ensure you get a vehicle. Note thatbase rates do not include the 16% Value Added Tax (VAT), registration fee, or any airport fees;expect those to equal 25% or so of the daily rental rate. Rates do, however, include the requiredthird-party liability insurance.To rent a vehicle, you will need your driver's license and passport. I would recommend using a majorcredit card for the rental as most automatically cover your insurance deductible in the event of anaccident or other mishap. However, be sure to check with your credit card company to verify that itdoes offer this coverage, that it applies to rentals in Germany, and what you must do to qualify for this(e.g. waiving the Collision Damage Waiver [CDW] option on the rental contract.)European rental cars generally come equipped with a manual transmission (the word "standard" reallydoes apply here.) If you want (or need) an automatic, make sure you specify this when you book. Itwill probably cost extra, though. If you really want luxury, you may also want to inquire about rentinga high-end German sports car or sedan; most rental agencies keep ample numbers of these availablefor those tourists with the desire and corresponding budget.
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Most car rental agencies will allow one-way rentals within Germany (pick-up the car in one city andreturn it at another) for no extra fee. If you want to do this, make sure that this is the case before yourent. Most rentals also allow unlimited kilometers. If you plan to travel outside of Germany, makesure that this is noted on the contract and that the vehicle is properly documented for internationaltravel. Chances are, most agencies will permit travel to most other western European countries (Italycan be iffy), but probably not anywhere east of Germany except Austria.Things to check before you leave the rental lotEvery rental vehicle should have a green insurance certificate ("Green Card"). It is important that youhave this before you drive off. If you are stopped by the police, travel to a different country, or havean accident, you will need to produce this document. Make sure that the vehicle has all of therequired emergency equipment (warning triangle, first aid kit, spare tire, and jack) and a parking disc.

Also, verify what type of fuel the vehicle uses-- many German cars use diesel, which helpfully is thesame word in German. Before venturing out on the road, make sure you know where all the buttons,knobs, and controls are. Take a little test drive around the lot to get a feel for the car. This will allowyou to make any necessary discoveries or adjustments before you get out into the foreign drivingenvironment where you will need to concentrate. If you have any questions, ask the lot attendant-- inmy experience, they're more than happy to help.

FuelGasoline (Benzin) and diesel (Diesel) are readily available throughout Germany, although fillingstations (Tankstellen) are not nearly as prolific as in the US. Still, you should have little problemfinding a place to "tank-up" (volltanken) when you need to. Most small towns have at least onestation, and there are 24-hour stations located at intervals along the Autobahn and major highways.The major brands are Aral, Avia, BP, Elf, Esso, Fina, Jet, Total, and Shell. Most stations are now self-service (Selbstbedienung, or SB-Tanken.) Like the US, unleaded fuel (bleifrei) is now the norm.Pumps in Germany work basically the same as in the US. Europe uses a different formula tocalculate octane ratings, so the scores will appear to be higher than those for corresponding grades in

the US. Also, remember that fuel is dispensed by the liter.

Typical filling station


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Americans will likely experience "sticker-shock" when it comes to gas prices in Germany. Expect topay three to fours times more for gas in Germany than in the US. As of January 2010, regularunleaded averaged 1.35 per liter (or about US$7.25 per gallon) and diesel was about 1.13 (aboutUS$4.27 per gallon). Most of this cost is due to high taxes. See the "Other sites of interest"belowfor links to a sites with current fuel rates.

BreakdownsGermany has a couple of major automobile/motorists clubs. The biggest is the ADAC (AllgemeinerDeutscher Automobil Club, General German Auto Club). The other is the AvD (Automobilclub vonDeutschland, Auto Club of Germany.) Both offer the usual array of motorist services. Of mostinterest to the tourist is the roadside breakdown service (Straenwacht, Pannenhilfe) operated byboth clubs (but especially ADAC), which offers assistance to both members and non-members. Basichelp from these "yellow angels" is free, but you will have to pay for parts or towing. To summon help,use the nearest emergency telephone, located at 2 km intervals along the Autobahn (see the"Emergencies" section of the Autobahn page)and 5-10 km intervals along Federal Highways.

Arrows on the roadside posts will direct you to the nearest one. Where emergency telephones arenot provided, call 0180/2222222 from a phone booth or mobile phone.

ADAC breakdown assistance vehicle

MapsGerman maps are, like most other things Teutonic, excellent in quality. The best maps are fromHallwag (the German franchise of Rand McNally) and the ADAC auto club. The RV Verlag Euro-Cityseries of city and metro maps is excellent (each map seems to be almost the same size as the cityitself!). Michelin also publishes a competent collection of regional and city maps. Even the free mapsavailable from tourist offices tend to be more than adequate in scope and detail.
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Traffic lawsLicensing, traffic and parking laws, and signs and signals are covered in detail thetraffic lawsandsigns and signalspages.

RoadsGermany has the world's second largest road system (after the US)-- pretty amazing for such a smallcountry. There are 636,000 km of roads, with over 221,000 km of this total being trunk roads andhighways, providing paved access to even the most remote corners of the country. These roads carrya huge and growing volume of traffic. In 2009, there were over 55 million registered vehicles, up from36 million in 1990 and 17 million in 1970. In addition, Germany serves as the crossroads of Europefunneling much of the continent's east-west and north-south traffic.

Typical rural roadYou will find that the roads in Germany are well-engineered and maintained; rarely will you find apothole, and snow removal is almost instantaneous. Signage is uniform and comprehensive. To putit succinctly, Germany's roads are first class.One note about the road system: most of the roads in the former East Germany have now been

rebuilt or upgraded from their previously dilapidated condition. Unfortunately, the expense of doingthis has resulted in delays in maintenance and expansion of roads in the west. Still, the overall qualityof the road system is excellent.Roads and streets in Germany and in Europe in general tend to be narrower than Americans are usedto. That is one reason (along with high gas prices) that small vehicles are the rule here.

Germany has a hierarchical road system ranging from unpaved forest paths to the world-renownAutobahn. Here is a brief description of the road types in Germany:

Forest/country lanes (Waldw eg, Feldweg)- Paved and unpaved one-lane roads. Theseare in generally good repair. Forest lanes are usually restricted with access controlled by a

barrier.
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City streets (Strae)- All town and city streets are paved, sometimes with cobblestones.Generally in good repair. Frequently narrow with tight corners, but usually with enough roomfor two cars to pass. Usually named (although signs may be hard to find at times). Variabletraffic.Community link roads (Gemeindev erb indu ng ss trae)- Two-lane roads connectingvillages and smaller towns. Usually well-maintained. Light traffic.County roads (Krei ss trae)- Two-lane roads connecting small and medium-sized towns.These roads have official numbers starting with a "K" or with the official county code.Sometimes these numbers may appear on guide signs or maps, but usually not. Universallywell-maintained. Light to moderate traffic.State roads (Lan dstrae or Staatss trae)- Very similar to county roads. Usually connectlarger towns. Again, these roads have official numbers (usually four digits) starting with an"L" or "St", but these numbers do not usually appear on signs. Universally well-maintained.Moderate to heavy traffic.Federal roads (Bundes strae)- Somewhat larger and usually significantly busier than stateand county roads. The routes are numbered with "B" numbers (e.g. B35) and marked with

signs. These roads are usually two lanes but frequently, especially in cities and

busy tourist areas, they may have four or more lanes. In larger cities, they may even beexpressways (Kraftfahrstrae, Schnellstrae), or so-called "Autobahn-similar"

(Autobahnhnlich) roads, marked with signs. Federal roads connect large towns andcities and tourist areas. Usually equipped with emergency phones at 5-10 km intervals.Universally well-maintained. Generally heavy traffic.Motorways (Autobahn)- See my specialAutobahn page.European Highways (Eu ropas trae)- These aren't separate roads, but rather are codesignated with other highways, usually Autobahns. The European Highway System, withroutes designated with an "E", provides for continuous numbering between countries,regardless of domestic route numbers. For example, near Saarbrcken, the German A6crosses into France and becomes France's A32. However, both roads carry the E50

designation making it easy for international travelers to follow the route. European Highways

are marked with the sign.

Romantic Road route markerTourist routesGermany has over 80 theme highways for tourists. The most well-known is the Romantic Road(Romantische Strae), a 180-mile route through small, picturesque Bavarian villages from Wrzburg

to the foothills of the Alps at Fssen. Other popular routes are the Castle Road (Burgenstrae) fromHeidelberg to Nrnberg and the Fairy Tale Road (Mrchenstrae) from Frankfurt to Hannover.Guided bus tours are available along these routes, but the best way to see them is by driving
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yourself. The routes are well marked and information is available at every town along the way. If youdo choose to travel one of these routes, do so outside of the prime tourist seasons to avoid thecrowds and get the best hotel and restaurant rates.

National TransportThe Autobahn

This page last updated January 11, 2012

The Autobahn from the driver's viewThe Autobahn is the pinnacle of the German driving experience, perhaps the ultimate in drivingaltogether. Virtually all of the world's serious drivers have heard of it and longed to take their shot atconquering it. Teutonic cars are known for their precise engineering and craftsmanship; the Autobahncompletes the driving equation.Some people are disappointed the first time they drive on the Autobahn. They come with visions of atwenty-lane superhighway where cars are barely a blur as they whiz by. In reality, the Autobahn lookslike a typical freeway, and despite rumors to the contrary, not everyone is hurtling along at the speedof sound. The stories of speed anarchy are only half correct-- many sections of Autobahn do in facthave speed limits.Still, the Autobahn offers the transcendent driving experience. The roads are superbly designed, builtand maintained, even now in the east where the German government had to undo 40 years of

Communist "maintenance". Amenities are numerous, and drivers are well-trained and cooperative.It's literally life in the fast lane on the Autobahn. (Don't tell me you didn't see that coming. )

On this page:HistoryDesignTraffic regulationsSpeed limitsTrafficConstruction and closuresService areas
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Signs and markingsElectronic signsEmergenciesOther links of interest

HistoryWhat is widely regarded as the world's first motorway was built in Berlin between 1913 and 1921.The 19 km long AVUS ("Automobil-Verkehrs- und bungsstrae") in southwestern Berlin was anexperimental highway that was (and occasionally still is) used for racing. It featured two 8 meter lanesseparated by a 9 meter wide median. Italy built several expressways in the 1920s and Germanyfollowed with its first "auto-only roads" opening in 1929 between Dsseldorf and Opladen and in 1932between Cologne and Bonn. More routes were planned in the early '30s and Adolf Hitler, seeing thepropaganda benefits of a high-speed road system (as well as the immediate military and employmentvalue), started a program to build two north-south and east-west links. The first of theseReichsautobahnenopened on May 19th, 1935 between Frankfurt and Darmstadt. At the end of World

War II, the Autobahn network totaled 2,128 km. Construction on new sections finally started again in1953, with 144 km added between 1953 and 1958, bringing the total to 2,272 km. Starting in 1959,the Federal Republic began Autobahn expansion in earnest by embarking on a series of four-yearplans that expanded the Bundesautobahnensystem to 3,076 km by 1964. Major additions continuedduring the next two decades and the system reached 4,110 km in 1970, 5,258 km in 1973, 6,207 kmin 1976, 7,029 km in 1979, and 8,080 km in 1984. A new series of five-year plans, with the goal ofputting an Autobahn entrance within 10 km of any point in Germany, had expanded the net to over8,800 km by 1990. The reunification of Germany in 1990, however, put those plans on hold as thefederal government focused on absorbing and upgrading the Autobahns it inherited from EastGermany. The incorporation of those eastern Autobahns put the total Autobahn network at almost11,000 km in 1992. Additions to the unified network increased the total to 11,515 km in 2000 and12,531 km in 2007. This makes the Autobahn network the world's third largest superhighway systemafter the United States and China.

Map of current Autobahn network
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Early Autobahns were rather crude by today's standards. The first Autobahns, like their Italiancounterparts, featured limited-access and grade-separated crossings, but no medians. The firstReichsautobahnendid have narrow medians but lacked shoulders, and ramps and waysides hadcobblestone surfaces. When Germany was reunified in 1989, the Autobahns of East Germany werein virtually the same condition as they were in 1945, exhibiting the aforementioned qualities as well asinadequate signing, infrequent (and often non-functional) emergency telephones located in the center

median, and service areas consisting of a dilapidated roadhouse next to a wayside. Newer WestGerman Autobahns had for many years featured 3.75 meter wide lanes, shoulders, landscapedmedians with crash barriers, frequent roadside emergency telephones, and ample, well-adornedservice areas. After reunification, the German government expedited upgrading of the old EastGerman Autobahns in a series of "German Unity Transport Projects." By the end of 2009, theprogram was nearly completed with about 2,100 km of upgraded or newly-built Autobahn.

Design

Typical section of AutobahnThe general rule for design is to provide for unimpeded, high-speed traffic flow. Unimproved oldersegments aside, most Autobahns feature the following design elements:

Two, three, or occasionally four lanes per direction. Lanes on rural sections are generally3.75 meters wide except the left lane of newer three lane segments-- it's 3.5 meters wide. On

urban sections, all lanes are 3.5 meters wide.A landscaped "green" median 3.5 or 4 meters wide (3 meters in urban areas). A double-sidedguardrail runs down the middle. Blinders are often used on curves. Some newer sectionshave concrete barriers instead of green medians.Outside emergency shoulders and long acceleration and deceleration lanes.Full grade-separation and access control, generally provided by half cloverleaf interchangesat exits and full cloverleafs or directional interchanges at Autobahn crossings. Interchangesare generally well-spaced, sometimes exceeding 30 km between.Grades of 4% or less. Climbing lanes are provided on most steep grades.Gentle and well-banked curves.Freeze-resistant concrete or bituminous surface.Roadbed and surface measuring about 75 cm (30 inches) in thickness.

In addition, Autobahns also feature the following amenities:


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Reflector guide posts at 50 meter intervals.Frequent parking areas, often equipped with toilet facilities.Extensive and ample service areas featuring filling stations, restaurants, and hotels.

Automated traffic and weather monitoring and electronic signs providing dynamic speed limitsand/or advance warning of congestion, accidents, construction, and fog.Emergency telephones at 2 km intervals.Pre-signed detour routes to facilitate emergency closures.Standardized signage.Wildlife protection fencing, crossover tunnels and "green bridges".

Maintenance is superb. Crews inspect every square meter of the system periodically using vehicleswith high-tech road scanning equipment. When a fissure or other defect is found, the entire roadsection is replaced. Signs, barriers, and other features are also well maintained.Urban AutobahnsGenerally speaking, the mainline Autobahn routes avoid the metropolitan cores. Instead, spur routesprovide Autobahn access into and within the cities. These spurs are usually built as "urban

Autobahns" (Stadtautobahn). Design features of urban Autobahns include six or eight lane elevated

or depressed roadways with frequent and more closely-spaced diamond interchanges. The standardrural signage standards are suspended in favor of more appropriate closely-spaced overhead signs.There are sometimes no emergency phones or roadside reflector posts. Tunnels, overpasses, andsound barriers are more frequent and nighttime illumination is often provided. Tunnels and bridgesTo help maintain safe grades, the Autobahn system is well-endowed with tunnels and bridges. So-called "valley bridges" (Talbrcke) are often over 500 meters high and sometimes over 1 kilometerlong. The Autobahn system now has over 65 tunnels, both through mountains as well as in urbanareas. As a result of the tunnel disasters elsewhere in Europe during the past few years, extraemphasis has been placed on tunnel safety. All Autobahn tunnels have extensive safety systemsincluding 24-hour video monitoring, motorist information radio and signs, frequent refuge rooms withemergency telephones and fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and exits, and smoke ventilation

systems.

Autobahn tunnel (left) and valley bridge (r igh t)

Traffic regulations

To safely facilitate heavy, high-speed traffic, special laws apply when driving on the Autobahn:

Bicycles, mopeds, and pedestrians are specifically prohibited from using the Autobahn, as areany other vehicles with a maximum speed rating of less than 60 km/h (36 mph).Passing on the right is strictly prohibited! Slower vehicles must move to the right to allowfaster traffic to pass, and drivers should stay in the right lane except to pass. When passing,you must do so as quickly as possible, and it's in your best interest to do so lest you become


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a hood ornament on that Porsche that was just a speck in your mirror a second ago and nowis close enough for you to see the look of distain on the driver's face. You are, however,allowed to pass on the right in heavy traffic when vehicles have started queuing, but only at aslow speed. You may also pass on the right while you are still in the designated accelerationlane upon entering the Autobahn.Stopping, parking, U-turns, and backing-up are strictly verboten, including on shoulders and

ramps (except for emergencies, of course.)Entering and exiting is permitted only at marked interchanges.Traffic entering the Autobahn must yield to traffic already on the Autobahn.On Autobahn sections with three travel lanes, trucks over 3.5 tonnes and any vehicle with atrailer are prohibited from using the far left lane.During traffic jams, motorists in the left lane are required to move as far to the left as possibleand those in the adjacent center or right lane must move as far to the right in their lane aspossible, thus creating a gap between the lanes for emergency vehicles to pass through.If you have a breakdown or accident, you must move to the shoulder if possible and place awarning triangle 200 meters behind the scene. You must report the incident to the authoritiesusing the nearest emergency phone (see below).It is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn. Technically, there is no law specifically againstthis, but it is illegal to stop unnecessarily on the Autobahn and this law is also applied topeople who run out of fuel as such an occurrence is deemed to be preventable.There are no tolls for passenger vehicles to use the Autobahn. However, trucks now mustpay a per-kilometer fee. This fee is collected electronically.

In addition to the official laws, most drivers follow the following customs:

Motorists at the rear of a traffic jam usually switch on their hazard blinkers to warnapproaching traffic of the slowdown.Many drivers flash their high beams or switch on their left turn signal to politely (or not)request that you vacate the left lane to let them pass. There are conflicting opinions aboutwhether this is legal or not and why, but there are reports that drivers have been cited fordoing this. While there is no specific law regarding this, it appears that such actions can be

construed to violate Germany's coercion laws, so do so at your own risk.

Four-lane Autobahn section


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Speed limits

Despite the widespread belief of complete freedom from speed limits (and a lobbying effort that hasthe same influence and deep pockets as the American gun lobby), some speed regulations can befound on the Autobahns. Many sections do indeed have permanent or dynamic speed limits rangingfrom 80 to 130 km/h (50-80 mph), particularly those with dangerous curves, in urban areas, near

major interchanges, or with unusually constant heavy traffic. In construction zones, the limit may beas low as 60 km/h (37 mph). Also, some sections now feature nighttime and wet-weather speedrestrictions, and trucks are always regulated (see table below). That said, about two-thirds of the

Autobahn network has no permanent speed limit, although there is always an advisory limit of 130km/h (81 mph). This recommendation is generally seen for what it is-- an attempt by the governmentto cover itself without having to upset millions of Porsche and BMW owners (aka voters.) However, ifyou exceed the advisory limit and are involved in an accident, you could be held responsible for someof the damages even if you are not at fault.

MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS(These are "default" limits; where posted, signs override these limits)

Some individual vehicles, such as buses and trucks, may have a speed limit even when there is noposted limit. A decal resembling a speed limit sign displayed on the back of a vehicle indicates that itmay only travel the speed shown, usually 80 or 100 km/h.

Over 3,200 km of Autobahn now feature dynamic speed limits which are adjusted to respond to traffic,weather, and road conditions. These speed limits and conditions are indicated using a ratherelaborate system of electronic signs (see below).

A movement by the environmentalist Green party to enact a national speed limit has not made greatstrides. The Greens claim that the high speeds contribute to air pollution which has causedwidespread Waldsterben, or forest destruction. As a result, some Autobahns in forest areas haveseen new limits imposed, but a national limit remains unlikely, as demonstrated during the coalitiongovernment negotiations in 1998. In those talks between the then-new Federal Chancellor GerhardSchroeder's Social Democrat party and the Greens, one of the final points to be resolved was theGreens' desire for a nationwide 100 km/h speed limit on the Autobahns. In the end, a compromisewas struck whereby energy taxes would be raised and local governments could reduce speed limits

on city streets, but no national Autobahn speed limit would be implemented. Subsequent discussionsby various groups of a possible blanket limit have met with immediate and formidable politicalresistance.

A national speed limit of 100 km/h (60 mph) was enacted in November 1973 during the energy crisis.It was repealed less than four months later.

In 2008, the federal city-state of Bremen enacted a 120 km/h speed limit on all Autobahns in thatstate, the first and thus far only federal state to do so. However, in practice, this only affected 6 km of

Autobahn as the remainder of the 60 km of Autobahn in that state already had speed limits in place.

Accident rates

Despite the prevailing high speeds, the accident, injury and death rates on the Autobahn areremarkably low. The Autobahn carries about a third of all Germany's traffic, but injury accidents on


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the Autobahn account for only 6% of such accidents nationwide and less than 12% of all trafficfatalities were the result of Autobahn crashes (2009). In fact, the annual fatality rate (2.7 per billionkm in 2009) is consistently lower than that of most other superhighway systems, including the USInterstates (4.5 in 2009). Furthermore, a 2005 study by the German government found that Autobahnsections without speed limits had the same accident rate as those with speed limits.

"End of all restrictions" sign, indicating the end of allspeed limit and passing restrictions

Traffic

Because of Germany's location in central Europe, traffic on the Autobahn is generally quite heavy. In2008, motorists logged a staggering 225.3 billion kilometers on the Autobahn, averaging almost50,000 vehicles per day on any given segment. As a result, traffic jams (Stau) occur frequently on the

Autobahn, especially on Fridays, Sundays, holidays, and anytime after an accident or during badweather or construction. Regional traffic reports, with a variety of names includingVerkehrsmeldungen, Verkehrsdienst, Verkehrsfunk, and Stauschau, are excellent and are providedon most radio stations. Germany is divided into several traffic reporting regions

(Verkehrsrundfunkbereich); signs along the road indicate the local radio stations carrying thetraffic reports for the region you are in. You will need to have a working knowledge of German tounderstand them, though.

In addition to radio traffic reports, many sections of Autobahn are equipped with traffic monitoringsystems and electronic signs (see below)to warn of downstream incidents or congestion and toreduce the speed of traffic as it approaches the jam. On sections without electronic signs, the

Autobahn police (Autobahnpolizei) do an excellent job of warning of unexpected jams via portablesigns, signs mounted on police cars parked along the shoulder, or on banners draped fromoverpasses. Traffic information is also available from several other resources including the websitesof radio and TV stations, auto clubs, and government agencies, and increasingly through on-boardtelematics systems.

Typical weekend and holiday Autobahn traffic


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A couple of notes about traffic reports: sometimes the "traffic report" may include information that hasnothing to do with traffic such as emergency alerts, police bulletins, etc. Also, if you have a Germanrental car with a cassette or CD player, don't be surprised if your Falco tape or disc is interrupted byreports of a Stau somewhere-- German radio tuners continue to monitor the last-selected radio stationeven when a tape or CD is being played. Radio stations broadcast a special tone at the start of trafficreports which causes the tuner to switch the audio from the tape or CD to the radio so that you can

hear the information. Traffic reports use one of several terms to describe varying levels of congestion:"Stau"usually means a colossal traffic jam where you'll probably get to know the people in the carsaround you, "stockender Verkehr" indicates the only slightly more tolerable stacking or slow-and-gotype traffic, while "dichter Verkehr"or "zhfliesender Verkehr"denotes the hardly-noteworthy heavy orsluggish but moving traffic.

As a stopgap measure to help improve traffic flow, traffic is now being permitted to use the emergencyshoulder as a traffic lane during congested periods along some sections of Autobahn. Lane control

signals, signs, or other cars doing so indicate when this is permissible.

Congested Autobahn with shoulder open to traffic

Construction & closures

Autobahn maintenance and improvements don't escape the German penchant for obsessiveness. Asa result, construction zones (Baustelle) are frequent and widespread. The standard protocol for largeprojects is a traffic shift-- the lanes for both directions are narrowed and crammed onto one side of the

Autobahn so that the other side can be worked on in its entirety. Such situations are well-marked with

signs and speed limits are usually reduced greatly in these areas.


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Autobahn construction areaNote the yellow road markings. These supersede all regular markings in work zones.

In the event that a segment of Autobahn must be closed due to an accident or other emergency, pre-posted provisional detours are ready to guide traffic around the closure. As you exit, look for the U-

numbered detour sign on the exit ramp-- this denotes the detour route for that exit. Follow thesame-numbered route over the secondary roads and you'll eventually arrive at the next downstreamentrance ramp. If that entrance is also closed, just follow the next sequential detour number to reachthe next entrance after that. However, there is one small gotcha-- odd numbers continue in onedirection, even numbers in the opposite direction. So if you're following an odd numbered route, besure to follow the next sequential oddnumber (and, obviously the same goes for even-numberedroutes.) These routes also come in quite handy if your patience runs-out and you want to get arounda Stau.

Service areas

The Autobahn has an extensive system of service areas (Rasthof, Raststtte) generally spacedbetween 40 and 60 kilometers apart. These usually feature a filling station (Tankstelle), restaurant orsnack bar, convenience store, telephones, and restrooms. Many also feature hotels, showers,playgrounds, conference rooms, and chapels. There are over 700 service areas in operation andthey're open 24 hours a day. A brochure with maps and charts showing the network of service areasand the facilities available at each can be obtained at any service area and is also available on theweb (see links below).


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Autobahn service area

Signs announcing the approach of a service area give the name of the service area, the distance to it,and one or more pictograms indicating the services available there:

Fuel Restaurant Snack bar Hotel

Service area approach signThe white sign at the bottom indicates the distance to the next service area.

Smaller parking areas, many equipped with restrooms (WC), are even more abundant along theAutobahn. These are marked with signs like the one below.


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Approach sign for parking area w/ WC

The past couple of decades has seen the proliferation of service facilities (mainly filling stations andfast-food restaurants) just off Autobahn exit ramps. Especially increasing in popularity are truck stops

(Autohof). These generally offer facilities comparable to the service areas, but usually at considerablylower prices. Most are now marked by special signs on the Autobahn like the one below.

Autoho f announcement sign

Signs & markings

Signage on the Autobahn is excellent. All direction signs on the Autobahn as well as those givingdirections to the Autobahn are white on blue. Signage before interchanges is standard both in formand placement.

Overhead signs are being used increasingly more frequently. These signs generally take on theforms shown in the various pictures below. Note that the route number shields are typically located atthe bottom of the signs rather than at the top like in the US. Drivers should also be aware that unlikethe US, directions on the Autobahn (as well as other roads) are not given using the cardinal directions(North, South, East, West), but rather by destination cities. Know what the major cities are along yourroute before you start out. A helpful idiosyncrasy is the tendency to list major cities on signs forconnecting Autobahns that lead toward the route that will actually take you to that city. The most


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important cities start appearing on signs hundreds of kilometers away. One other peculiarity is thatwhen several cities are listed, the farthest city is generally listed first or on top; in the US, it's usuallythe opposite. The last place listed is usually the name of the next exit. Finally, you may come acrossnames that include a one or two letter abbreviation (e.g. "S-Degerloch" or "HH-Zentrum"); thesecorrespond to the official license plate registration city abbreviations and indicate an exit for a districtor other destination in that city. So "S-Degerloch" would be the exit for "Stuttgart-Degerloch" while

"HH-Zentrum" denotes "Hamburg-Zentrum", or "downtown Hamburg".

Advance guide signs for Autobahn crossing Typical overhead advance guide sign for exit

Exit signs at Autobahn crossing Overhead "butterfly" exit signsAutobahns bear a one, two, or three digit number with an "A" prefix (e.g. A8); however, the "A" is notshown on signs. The one and two digit numbers indicate mainline routes; three digit routes arespurs. Route numbers are assigned by region (e.g. the area around Munich is region 9, so most

Autobahns in that area start with 9) and even-numbered routes generally run east-west while odd-numbered routes north-south. Route numbers for spurs and connectors usually start with the parentnumber followed by an additional digit or two to make three digits total (e.g. the A831 branches off of

the A8; the A241 branches off of the A24.) Route markers are an oblong white and blue hexagon:

Here are the main signs you will encounter:


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Autobahn entranceMarks entrance ramps to the Autobahn and indicates the start of

Autobahn traffic regulationsThis symbol is also used on signs giving directions to the Autobahn

Initial interchange approach signPlaced 1000 meters before exits; 2000 meters before AutobahncrossingsShows the interchange number and nameThe symbol indicates the type of interchange:

Exit CrossingAdvance interchange directional sign

Placed 500 meters before exits; 1000 meters and 500 metersbefore Autobahn crossingsShows a schematic of the interchange and gives additionaldestinations and route numbers

Interchange countdown markersPlaced 300 meters (3 stripes), 200 meters (2 stripes), and 100meters (1 stripe) before the exitInterchange number appears atop the 300 meter marker

Exit signLocated at exit pointOccasionally placed in the medianWhen placed overhead, may be repeated several times above theexit lane

Exit signMarks the exit ramp


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Interchange numberShown on the initial interchange approach sign and on the firstinterchange countdown markerInterchanges are numbered sequentially

Provisional detour

Marks a pre-posted detour route for use in the event that theAutobahn must be closedFollow the same-numbered route to return to the next AutobahnentranceCan also be used to bypass Autobahn congestionOdd numbers go in one direction, even numbers in the oppositedirection

Provisional detour schematicUsed to direct Autobahn traffic to the next sequential provisionaldetour route when traffic cannot return to the Autobahn at the nextentrance

Alternate routeIndicates a recommended alternate route on the Autobahn system

for specific vehicles or destinations in order to avoid congestionType of vehicle or destination will be shown in conjunction with thissign

Distance SignPlaced after every entranceLists distances to major cities along the route Distances to other nearby major cities accessible from anintersecting Autobahn are listed at the bottom with the respectiveroute number

End of Autobahn SignLocated on exit ramps from the Autobahn and indicates the end of

Autobahn traffic regulationsAlso used to warn that the Autobahn ends ahead


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Examples of diagram signs for complex interchanges

Pavement markings on the Autobahn are fairly obvious. You can see examples of several of these inthe picture below and on other pictures on this page:

Solid white line:Marks the left edge of the road or, on the right side, marks the inside of theshoulder or the right edge of the road. Also used sometimes between traffic lanes to indicatethat changing lanes is not allowed.Long, thin broken white lines:Separate traffic lanes.Short, thick broken white lines:Separate a deceleration (exit) lane or acceleration(entrance) lane from the main traffic lanes.V-diagonal markings:Mark the restricted area at an exit gore.

Yellow markings:Used in construction zones and supersede all regular white markings.

See theSigns and Signals pagefor complete information on German road signs and markings.

Typical lane markings

Dynamic signsDuring the past couple of decades, German traffic engineers have developed sophisticated trafficcontrol systems to manage traffic along many Autobahns and urban expressways. These automated

systems consist of surveillance cameras, speed monitors, and special electronic variable messagesigns, as well as equipment to detect and automatically warn of fog, rain, and ice. The primary intent
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of these systems is to gradually and systematically reduce the speed of traffic approaching or drivingthrough areas with congestion, construction, or hazardous weather conditions. Studies have shownthat these systems have reduced accidents by as much as 30% within three years of being installed.The first such system was tested in the early '80s on the A8/A81 near Stuttgart and has since beenexpanded to over 1,300 km of Autobahn, especially those subject to frequent congestion ordangerous weather conditions, as well as in and approaching tunnels. These systems have also

been installed on several non-Autobahn urban expressways, and the government is spending 40million a year to continue their expansion.

Autobahn electronic signs showing 100 km/h speed limit and construction aheadWhile you will find some electronic signs that just show plain text messages (similar to those in use inthe US), most of the systems in use display facsimiles of official traffic signs. These allow authoritiesto use the standard pictogram signs to warn of downstream conditions or to implement dynamicregulations. A common use is the temporary implementation or reduction of speed limits to respondto traffic, road, or weather conditions. Occasionally, these speed limits are set per lane. It isimportant to obey the speed limits indicated by these signs and you will find that the limits shown aregenerally very appropriate for the prevailing traffic or weather conditions. It should be noted that thespeed limits and other regulations shown are indeed enforceable, and many areas are also equippedwith photo radar that is integrated with the system (and thus is aware of the current speed limit). Thesigns can also indicate lane closures using the standard international lane control symbols. Beloware examples of these electronic signs.

Danger Congest ion Road work Slippery road Watch for ice orsnow

Speed l imi t No passing for End of speed End of no End of al l


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vehicles over 3.5t l imi t passing forvehicles o ver 3.5t restr ic t ions

Lane open Lane closed aheadMerge in the direction indicated Lane closedYou may not drive in this lane

In addition to the symbols above, the following word messages are used, usually in conjunction withthe "danger" sign:

UNFALL(accident)NEBEL(fog)STAU(congestion)

In addition to marking lanes closed by accidents or construction, lane control signals are used insome areas to close lanes to help reduce congestion at interchanges. For instance, if there issignificantly heavier traffic merging from Autobahn 1 onto Autobahn 2, the right lane on Autobahn 2will be closed to provide an unobstructed lane for the heavier traffic to merge into.

Electronic signs showing left lane closed ahead and 100km speed limit in open lanes

When different speed limits are shown on a single gantry, the limit shown applies to the lane underthe sign. In the example below, the speed limit in the left lane would be 120 km/h, 100 km/h in thecenter lane, and 80 km/h in the right lane.

Over 1,700 km of Autobahn are part of dynamic alternate route systems. These systems employchangeable guide signs which, when activated, display recommended alternate route guidance to


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help drivers avoid congestion. Some areas employ "substitutive routing" where the destinationsshown on the standard blue guide signs are changed using mechanical panels to re-route traffic ontodifferent routes. In other areas, "additive routing" is utilized. In this case, the regular blue guide signsare static, but additional white signs with changeable panels and the big orange "alternate route"arrow symbol are used. The arrow points in the recommended direction to follow along with thedestination city, route number, or vehicle types (e.g. trucks) that the suggested alternate route applies

to. For instance, in the picture below, traffic headed to Deggendorf and the Munich airport is beingadvised to exit in 1200 meters and follow the A99 and A92. Once you are on one of these alternateroutes, continue to follow alternate route arrow signs until you have reached your destination or havereturned to the original route. Note that many times much of the alternate route is marked bypermanent static signs, but a dynamic sign is used at the initial "decision point".

Changeable sign showing recommended alternate route

Emergencies

In the event of an accident, breakdown, or other emergency along the Autobahn, you are never morethan a kilometer away from help. Emergency telephones (Notrufsule) are located at 2 km intervalsalong the sides of the road. The direction to the nearest phone is indicated by small arrows atop theroadside reflector posts. In long tunnels, emergency phones are located in safe rooms every 100-200meters.

Autobahn emergency phone Roadside post with arrow pointingdirection to nearest emergency phone


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The emergency phone system was privatized several years ago. All calls go to a central call center inHamburg. In the event of an accident, dispatchers there will immediately connect the caller to thenearest police or emergency services office. For breakdowns, the dispatcher will obtain theinformation necessary to send the appropriate service. This may include the "Yellow Angels" of the

ADAC or AvD auto club, a tow truck, or an insurance, dealership, or rental car repair service.Roadside assistance is free, but you'll likely have to pay for parts. If you need to be towed, there is no

charge to remove the vehicle from the Autobahn, but you will have to pay for towing beyond that. Ifyou're driving a rental car, all services should be covered by the rental agency. Depending on thetime of day, volume of calls, and traffic conditions, response time for a breakdown may vary from afew minutes to possibly over an hour.

There are now two varieties of emergency phones in use. On the older phones, you will find a coverwith a handle. Lift the cover all the way and wait for a dispatcher to answer. The newer phones don'thave a cover; instead, they have an external speaker/microphone area with two buttons that you canpress to connect you to the appropriate dispatcher. There is a yellow button with a wrench symbol forreporting a breakdown and a red button with a red cross to report an accident. Press the appropriatebutton and wait for a reply. In most cases, the location of the phone is transmitted automatically whenyour call is connected. If not, you will need to give the dispatcher the kilometer location of the phoneas indicated on a label on the inside of the cover or near the speaker and your direction of travel. For

an accident, report the number of vehicles involved and any injuries. For a breakdown, be preparedto report the vehicle's license number, make and model, color, and your auto club, insurancecompany, or rental agency. An English-speaking dispatcher is usually available.

Man demonstrating how to use anold-style emergency phone

After calling, return to your vehicle or the accident scene and wait for help. For breakdowns,someone will arrive shortly to assist you. In the event of an accident, a cavalry of emergency aid willdescend on you. Police, fire service, ambulances, and emergency doctors all respond to Autobahncrashes. A medical evacuation helicopter is also always on standby.


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The most impo rtant sect ion for foreigners is the r ight-of-way discussion.When you're done, you can test your kno wledgehere.

Licensing

If you are visiting Germany and will not be establishing residency, then your own driver's license fromyour home country, state, or province is valid in Germany for as long as you're there. If you will beestablishing residency in Germany, your driver's license is valid for six months from the date whenpermanent residency is established, which in practice is generally assumed to be the date you enterthe country. You will have to obtain a German driver's license in order to continue driving after thatsix month grace period expires. If your residency will be for longer than six months but less than oneyear (and you can legally prove it), you can obtain a six month extension to use your existing license.If you're using a foreign license to drive in Germany, you're supposed to carry an official translation ofyour license in addition to the license itself, but if you speak the language well enough, I've found thatyou should get by fine. If you should get into a situation where you need to have a translation, you

can get one from the ADAC automobile club for about 40. If you want to have a bit of "insurance",you can take care of this before arriving by getting an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your homecountry. In the US, these are available from AAA for $10 plus two passport photos. (If you're unsure,my recommendation is to get an IDP before you go-- better safe than sorry.) Keep in mind that anIDP does not replace your official driver's license-- it is just a translation of it in an internationallyrecognized format. You must carry your official license with your IDP in order for it to be valid.If you will be in stationed in Germany with the US military, you will need to obtain a driver's licenseissued by the US Armed Forces. See the USAREUR driver's handbook athttp://www.hqusareur.army.mil/rmv/regulations/aep190-34.pdf,then come back here for asupplemental guide!If you are not affiliated with the US military and are going to be living in Germany longer than oneyear, you will need to get a German Driver's License (Fhrerschein). To do this, you must have avalid license in your home country and have not lived in Germany for more than three years. Theprocess starts with a visit to the local traffic office (Straenverkehrsamt). What happens next willdepend on where you hail from. Germany has reciprocal agreements with many countries and USstates allowing driver's licenses to be converted. If you're lucky, you may have to do nothing morethan fill-out some paperwork (although after you finally finish all the required forms, you may wonder

just how lucky you really are!) If not, you may still get off only having to take the written test.Otherwise, you'll have to go through the whole testing procedure, just like the Germans do. Note,though, that when a conversion is possible, only holders of non-commercial vehicle licenses canconvert their existing license to a German license.If your license was issued in one of the following US states, you can convert your license to a German

license without any testing: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa,Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma,Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington(state), Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico.Licenses from these US states require the applicant to take just the written test: Connecticut, Districtof Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon,and Tennessee.For a complete and current list of all US states, Canadian provinces, and other countries withreciprocal license agreements, see the sites listed in the links section at the bottom of this page.Conversion of licenses from all other US states will require you to take both the written and practical(road) tests. In all cases, you will probably have to take the vision test, which is usually administered
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by a commercial eye doctor (at your own expense, of course.) You may also be required to take afirst-aid class.If you can convert your license without testing, simply complete the required paperwork and submit it.If you have to take the written test, it will given at the traffic office. The test consists of sectionscovering laws, signs, vocabulary, theory, and energy conservation. To prepare for the test, you can

study this site and/or take a course at a German driving school (Fahrschule). Be wary, though-- youjust want the short laws and signs class, not the full driving course. The latter course currently costsaround 1,500 and consists of 25-45 hours of instruction, including 12 hours of theory, and oodles ofpractical experience including night and Autobahn driving. Make sure you ask for the special class fornew residents. If a school tells you they don't offer it, find one that does.

If you have to take the practical on-the-road test, it will be conducted by a driving school and will lastabout an hour. It will most likely include a short trip on the Autobahn. If you need practice, mostdriving schools offer short courses to prepare for the practical test as well. Once you pass thesetests, you will have a German driver's license valid for the rest of your life!

New EU-standard German driver's license

General laws and enforcementThe minimum age to drive in Germany is 18. Traffic drives on the right and passes on the left (not theother way around, as some Americans inexplicably think.) Seatbelts must be worn by all passengers.Children under 12 years old or shorter than 1.5 meters may not sit in the front seat unless they are inan approved child safety seat. However, you may not use a child safety seat in the front seat if thereis an active airbag.

The basic premise of German traffic law is the "doctrine of confidence", which in effect says thatmotorists must be alert, obey the law, and drive defensively at all times so that all motorists and otherroad users (including pedestrians) can have confidence in each other. Motorists must be especiallyalert for and anticipate the actions of elderly or disabled pedestrians or children, all of who are exemptfrom the doctrine of confidence. All road users must act to prevent endangering, hindering, andunreasonably inconveniencing other road users.Drivers must have third-party liability insurance and must carry proof of that insurance as well as proofof ownership (registration or rental papers) at all times. Vehicles must carry a warning triangle

(Warndreieck) and a super-duper highway first aid kit (Pkw-Verbandkasten) in which I defy you to findany band-aids. Germany does not require a fire extinguisher (Feuerlscher) to be carried, but you


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may want one anyway. You are required to place the warning triangle 100 meters behind yourvehicle if it is disabled (200 meters on the Autobahn), although I have yet to see anyone actually put itthat far back.You must leave your doors unlocked while driving to facilitate rescue in an accident. It is illegal todrive with your parking lights only; you must use your headlights at night and during inclement

weather. Motorcyclists must ride with helmets and headlights on at all times.Fines and penaltiesThe police are allowed to collect fines (Verwarnungsgeld) for most minor traffic offenses on the spot.If you don't have enough cash on hand, you can usually pay with a credit/debit card. If you are unableor unwilling to pay (you have the legal right to do so), your vehicle may be impounded (at additionalcost to you, of course), although in most cases you'll probably just be issued a citation to appear incourt later. Note that if you refuse to pay the spot fine, you may be assessed a higher fine when yougo to court, and some fines are based on your income. You need not fear when paying spot fines--the German police are very professional and corruption is very rare, and you will always be given areceipt for the payment.Some traffic violations are considered to be felonies and may be punishable by imprisonment if livesor property are endangered. These include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, leavingthe scene of an accident, illegal passing, U-turns and wrong-way driving or backing-up on the

Autobahn, failure to yield the right-of-way, and reckless driving including excessive speeding.Germany operates a point system for driving offenses. Most minor violations accrue one to fourpoints, with more serious violations earning five or more points. Points for minor offenses areexpunged after three years; other offenses will remain on the record for five to 10 years depending onthe offense. Motorists who exceed four points on their record at any given time can attend a drivingsafety class to eliminate four points from their record (two points if the total is greater than nine.)Those who accumulate 14 points are required to attend the safety class. They may then voluntarilyobtain counseling from a traffic psychologist to eliminate two points from their record. Anyone whoaccumulates 18 or more points will have their license suspended indefinitely. The US military also

has a point system that varies somewhat from the German system.EnforcementMost moving-violation enforcement in Germany is done via enforcement cameras. Germany probablyuses such cameras more than anyone else (except possibly Britain). Permanent and temporarycameras-- both automated and manually-operated-- are used to catch speeders, red-light violators,and tailgaters. Sometimes an obscure sign will warn you of the existence of such a camera, but it'susually too late by the time you see it. Citations are mailed to the registered owner of the vehiclewithin a few weeks. If you're driving a rental car, the ticket will go to the rental agency. They, in turn,will report you to the police as the driver of the vehicle and the ticket will be forwarded to you,although they frequently drop cases against non-EU residents-- it's too much of a hassle since theodds of collecting are pretty slim. An interesting footnote: the police stopped sending a copy of thephoto a while back when several spouses discovered cases of infidelity when they opened the

violation notice. Now, you have to go to the police station yourself to see the photo and contest it ifyou so desire. Such an effort is usually fruitless, though.Some enforcement is still done the old-fashioned way with police using both marked and unmarkedvehicles looking for violations. If you get busted, you'll likely be signaled to pull over by a "lollypop"traffic paddle (see picture below) being held out of the window and perhaps a flashing sign on theback of the vehicle reading "Polizei-- bitte folgen" ("police-- please follow".) These vehicles typicallyhave on-board cameras recording constantly and the video is used as evidence if the violation isdisputed.


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Right-of-wayGermany uses a hierarchical system to assign right-of-way (Vorfahrt, Vorrang) at intersections asfollows:

Police officer:A police officer directing traffic overrides all other traffic controls. Manyofficers use obvious motions to direct traffic. However, if an officer is not motioning and hasboth shoulders facing you (often with arms outstretched), you must wait. This applies to

traffic behind him as well as in front of him. If he has just one shoulder facing you (i.e.standing parallel to your path), you have the right-of-way. If he has one hand in the air, he ispreparing to change the traffic flow (equivalent to a yellow light) and all traffic must stop.Police and crossing guards may also use a traffic paddle ("lollypop")-- this is equivalent to astop sign.

Traffic signals:Traffic signals are the next highest right-of-way control. Traffic signals arediscussed in detail on theSigns, Signals, and Markingspage. Remember that you cannot

turn right on red in Germany unless there is a sign next to the signal. If a right on red ispermitted, you must come to a complete stop first.

Signs:Signs are the most common right-of-way control. Germany uses a system of "priority

roads" (Vorfahrtstraen) to assign right-of-way. Priority roads are marked with thesign. Traffic on a priority road has the right-of-way ("priority") over other traffic at allintersections along the way. Intersecting streets will have a yield or stop sign. The yield sign

indicates that you must give the right-of-way, but you don't have to stop if the way is

clear. The stop sign indicates that you must first come to a complete stop, thenproceed when the way is clear. Often, priority roads make turns at intersections in towns.

These turns are indicated by schematic signs showing the direction of the turn. (On theschematic, you are approaching from the bottom.) Traffic proceeding in the direction of thethick line has the right-of-way. Traffic leaving the priority road must yield to other trafficcontinuing along the priority road but still has the right-of-way over traffic on the other streets.By the way, if you are following a priority road that turns, you still must use your turn signal.

Priority roads are cancelled by the sign or by a yield or stop sign. On roads that are

not priority roads, right-of-way may be granted by the sign. This sign indicates thatyou have the right-of-way only at the next intersection. Be aware that right-of-way signs arealso usually posted at signalized intersections. However, the signal takes precedence over

the signs unless the signal is not operating; then the signs govern traffic.
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Also, note that the "end of traffic calming zone" sign and "end of pedestrian zone"

sign also require drivers to yield to all other traffic including pedestrians.

Default right-of-way scheme:If there is no policeman, no signal, or no sign indicating theright-of-way, then the following default scheme is used:

o Publ ic road has pr ior i ty :Traffic on public highways has priority over private drives,forest and farm paths, and dirt roads. Also, sunken curbstones across your roadwayindicative that you must yield.

o Right has r ight-of-way:When two public roads cross at an uncontrolled intersection,then right-of-way is always given to traffic approaching from the right. This includes"T" intersections! In the US, traffic on the through street of a "T" has the right-of-way.In Germany, you must yield to the right, even if you are on the through road. Thisalso includes the rare situation where a main road and small side street cross at anuncontrolled intersection.

o

Right-of-way in c ongest ion:When traffic is heavily congested, normal right-of-wayrules go out the window and the "zipper rule" (Reiverschlu) goes into effect. Thismeans that cars feed one at a time alternating from each direction, regardless of whohas the posted right-of-way. The "zipper rule" also applies when one lane ends andmerges into another-- each vehicle in the through lane must allow one vehicle fromthe truncated lane to merge in. Do not enter an intersection if traffic is backed-up onthe other side of the junction, even if you have a green light.

Other right-of-way rulesIn situations of otherwise equal right-of-way, vehicles going straight have priority, followed byright turns; left turns go last.Traffic entering a roundabout technically has the right-of-way unless the entrance is marked

with a sign (which it usually is). (Footnote: you must use your turn signal when youexit a roundabout.)Emergency vehicles with a flashing blue light and siren sounding always have the right-of-way; you must pull-over to the right-hand side of the road when one approaches.You should yield to streetcars at intersections. Don't pass a stopped streetcar if it isdischarging passengers directly onto the street; you may continue on when the doors haveclosed.Buses leaving a marked bus stop have the right-of-way.On narrow road sections, the sign gives you the priority over oncoming traffic and the

sign means you must yield to oncoming traffic. On narrow mountainous roads, trafficgoing uphill has the right-of-way.On roads where passing is difficult or not allowed, slower traffic is required to pull over whenpossible to allow faster traffic to go by (waysides are sometimes provided for this purpose.)Pedestrians always have the right-of-way when in a crosswalk.Vehicles entering an Autobahn or expressway must yield to other traffic already on the mainroadway.Drivers must never assert their right-of-way-- safety takes precedence in all situations.

Speed limits


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In Germany, there is a set of general or "default" speed limits (Geschwindigkeitbeschrnkung). Theseare the limits you must obey in the absence of signs:

>7.5t

Within urban areas

Outside urban areas

Autobahns &Expressways

Some vehicles may be exempt from the 80 km/h Autobahn speed limit. These vehicles display adecal on their rear resembling a speed limit sign indicating the speed they're permitted to travel. Signs, of course, supersede the default limits.

Beware of signs. These indicate the speed limit for an entire neighborhood. The speed limit

on the sign remains in effect on all streets within the zone until you pass a sign.Here are a few other points about speed limit signs to be aware of:

Although the speed limit cancellation sign will only show the last posted speed limit, it

actually cancels all previous posted limits and indicates a return to the default speed limit forthe road you are on. For example: You're traveling down a rural road at the default speed

limit of 100 km/h when you come to a sign. So you slow down to 80. A kilometer or so

later, you come to a sign, so you slow down to 60. After a while, you pass asign. What speed do you return to? The answer is the default speed limit of 100 km/h. The

sign cancels all previous posted speed limits, not just the 60 km/h limit.Whenever a speed limit sign is mounted beneath a warning sign, the speed limit only applies

until you pass the hazard indicated on the warning sign. For instance, if you you come to a


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sign with a sign below it, the 60 km/h speed limit is in effect only until you passthe traffic signals, after which you can then return to the default speed limit if no other speedlimit signs are posted.The sign indicates the end of all previous posted speed limits and the end of any nopassing zones. However, the default speed limit still applies.

Other speed limitsWhen fog reduces visibility to less than 50 meters, the maximum speed you may drive is 50km/h.When a bus is stopped at a bus stop with its hazard lights flashing, traffic in both directionsmay only pass at a speed of 7 km/h or less (i.e. "walking pace").Whenever a child or an elderly or handicapped person is near the road, drivers are requiredto remove their foot from the accelerator and be prepared to stop. German courts haveupheld that the driver is ultimately responsible for preventing accidents in these situations no

matter the actions of the other person.

Passing/overtakingPassing or overtaking is not permitted in the following situations:

When there is a solid white line on your side of the road and/or a no-passing signAt pedestrian crosswalksAt or on the approach to a railway crossing (i.e. between the initial warning sign and thecrossing)

When passing another vehicle:You may not exceed the speed limitYou must use turn signals before pulling out and again when returning to the right lane You must return to the right lane as soon as safely possible without endangering or impedingthe vehicle you are overtaking

Drivers being overtaken must allow plenty of space for the passing vehicle to complete theirmaneuver; they must slow down to accomplish this if necessary. It is illegal to speed-up to prevent

being passed.Passing on the right is prohibited except on multilane roads (including the Autobahn) when traffic inthe left lane is stopped or is moving at less than 60 km/h; in those cases, traffic in the right lane maynot exceed 80 km/h. Passing on the right is also allowed on roads controlled by traffic signals,although in practice traffic is typically traveling at less than 60 km/h in those cases anyway.On roads where passing is difficult or not allowed, slower traffic is required to pull over when possibleto allow faster traffic to go by (waysides are sometimes provided for this purpose.)

Drinking & driving


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The penalties for driving under the influence in Germany are harsh. Severe penalties are assessed tofirst time offenders, usually including the suspension of your license. Penalties for drunk driving nowstart with a blood alcohol limit as low as 0.03. With the high alcohol content of German socialbeverages, it doesn't take long to hit the limit. And, if you have an accident, the courts may determinewhether alcohol was a factor even if your blood alcohol content is below the limit. The best advice isthis: if you drink AT ALL, don ' t dr ive! Don't forget that driving under the influence of drugs

(prescription or recreational) is also illegal.

Parking regulationsIn Germany, you are considered "parked" if you leave your vehicle or if you stop/stand for longer than3 minutes, unless you are actively boarding or discharging passengers or loading or unloading cargo.

You may not park:Within 5 meters on either side of an intersectionIn front of driveway entrances or exits, or on the opposite side of the street if the roadway istoo narrow to allow vehicles to enter or exit the drivewayIf parking will obstruct the use of marked parking placesWithin 15 meters on either side of a bus or streetcar stop marked with a signWithin 50 meters on either side of a sign when outside of urban areas or within 5 meterswhen inside an urban areaOn a priority road outside of urban areasIn front of a curb-cut or wheelchair ramp

Adjacent to a traffic island or medianOn the street side of another parked vehicle ("double parked")On a marked bike lane

Anywhere there is a signYou may not stop or stand (on the side of the road):

On narrow roads or in blind spotsNear sharp curvesOn or within 5 meters approaching a pedestrian crosswalkOn railway crossings or tracksIn or adjacent to turn lanes (those marked with arrows on the pavement)In front of and approaching a fire station drivewayWithin a traffic circle or roundabout

At a taxi stand marked with a signOn the AutobahnWithin 10 meters in front of , , or signs, or traffic signals, if parking wouldobstruct the view of the sign or signal

Anywhere there is a sign


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The sign marks the entrance to an urban area. Upon passing this sign, several specialtraffic regulations go into effect:

Speed limit: 50 km/hYou may not honk your horn except when necessary to avoid a collision.Parking is prohibited within 5 meters of a railroad crossing.You must ensure that your vehicle can be seen when parked at night. This may require theuse of parking lights if street lighting is inadequate or does not remain on all night. Such lights

are marked by a red & white band around the lamppost.

The sign indicates that you are leaving the built-up area and its associated trafficregulations. The following general regulations apply:

Speed limit: 100 km/hParking is prohibited on priority roads.Parking is prohibited within 50 meters of a railroad crossing.Disabled vehicles must be marked with a warning triangle.

Traffic calming zonesTraffic calming zones (Verkehrsberuhigtezone) are usually implemented on small residential streets.

The start of a traffic calming zone is marked by the sign and the sign marks the

end of such a zone. Within traffic calming zones, the following rules apply:Traffic must maintain the lowest possible speed-- no more than 7 km/h.Pedestrians may use the entire street; children are permitted to play in the street.Motorists may not endanger or hinder pedestrians; when necessary, motorists must wait.Pedestrians may not unnecessarily hinder traffic.Parking is not permitted outside of marked spaces except for boarding/discharging andloading/unloading.When leaving the zone, you must yield to all other traffic.

Autobahn traffic regulationsSpecial rules apply when driving on the Autobahn. These are listed on theAutobahn page.

Additional prohibitionsUse of mobile phones is prohibited while your vehicle is in operation. The only time you arepermitted to use a mobile phone is if you are parked and the engine is turned-off. You mayuse a hands-free mobile phone when driving if it does not impede your hearing (i.e. one

earphone only).
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Vehicles with a gross permitted weight of 7.5 tons or more (with several exceptions) areprohibited from all public roads on Sundays and public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00. This isto help prevent traffic jams.

Vehicles that have not passed an emissions test may be banned from the downtown area ofcities during severe air pollution episodes. When pollution reaches excessive levels, police

set-up checkpoints marked with "SMOG" signs along major corridors into the city.Beginning in 2007, local governments were permitted to establish so-called "environmental

zones". Access to these zones, marked with "Umwelt Zone" signs, is restricted tovehicles displaying one of the red, yellow, or green colored emissions stickers specified onthe supplemental sign mounted below the main sign. These zones may be permanent or mayonly be activated only during air pollution alerts.

Motorists are prohibited from unnecessarily revving their motors or slamming their car doorsexcessively. It is also illegal to drive back and forth unnecessarily (i.e. "cruising") in towns.

AccidentsIf the unfortunate should happen and you should be involved in an accident, the steps to take arebasically similar to those in the US and most other places. Here's a list of what you should do:

Stop immediately. This also applies if you are not directly involved in the accident but are awitness. Germany's Good Samaritan law also requires you to stop and render aid if peopleneed help, even if you are not a party to or did not witness the accident.

If anyone is injured, call for an ambulance and the police. From a phone booth or cell phone,dial 112; on Autobahns or other major highways, use the nearest emergency telephone (thedirection to which is marked by arrows atop the black and white posts along the roadside).You are required by law ("Good Samaritan Law") to give first aid to any injured persons.Remember that super-duper first aid kit you're supposed to carry? This is where it comes inhandy. Do not move anybody that is injured unless it is absolutely necessary. If there is a fireor spilled fuel, get everyone involved away from the vehicles and call the fire department (dial112 or use an emergency phone.)

If nobody is injured, and the vehicles can be moved safely, you should mark the location ofeach vehicle, then move them out of traffic. You can mark the locations either by drawing adiagram of the site and vehicles, taking photographs, or using "traffic chalk" to mark thephysical locations of the vehicles on the pavement before you move them. Most German

automotive first aid kits have a stick of traffic chalk (it looks like a big yellow or white crayon.)Secure the accident site using a warning triangle placed 100 meters behind the scene (200meters on the Autobahn.)

Exchange information with the other drivers including your driver's license, passport,insurance green card, and rental information. As a tourist, it is in your best interest to thencall the police to the scene (if you haven't already) and have them take a report (dial 110 oruse an emergency phone). This ensures that all the proper legal requirements are satisfiedand helps protect you from future problems.

The police may ask you or your passengers to make a statement regarding the circumstancesof the accident. You are not required to make a statement, but you still must provide valididentification and other legal documents (e.g. car registration, insurance, etc.) and must signthe accident report.


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Do not sign any documents unless you know what you are signing. Never sign documentsfrom people (other than uniformed police) who mysteriously appear at an accident scene--there have been reports of "helpful bystanders" (Unfallhelfer) who attempt to get thoseinvolved in an accident to sign powers of attorney, loan applications, and other dubiousdocuments in the confusion.

If you damage an unoccupied vehicle, German law requires you to wait at the scene for atleast 30 minutes for the owner to return. If the owner does not return, you must then reportthe accident to the police in person. As a tourist, it is probably best to call the police to thescene rather than go to a police station. You might even want to do this immediately insteadof waiting for the owner to return.

Once the police have cleared you, you can leave the scene. If you are driving a rental car,you should contact the rental agency immediately to report the incident. They will give youinstructions on what to do next and will dispatch a tow truck if necessary. If your accidenthappens on the Autobahn, your vehicle may be towed off the Autobahn immediately by thepolice.

If you need further legal assistance or advice after an accident, you should contact the

nearest consulate or embassy. If you are a member of the national auto club in your homecountry (e.g. AAA in the US), the German ADAC auto club may also be able to assist you asthey have reciprocal agreements with most national auto clubs.

National TransportGerman Traffic Signs & Signals (Page 1 of 2)

This page last updated January 28, 2010Below is a comprehensive guide of German traffic signs, signals, and markings. This guide isdesigned for both the short-term tourist wanting to learn German traffic signs in preparation for a tripas well as for someone who is studying to get a German or US military driver's license. This topic is

divided into two pages. These pages may also be of interest to road and sign aficionados.

On these pages:Signs

o Vehicle class symbols(Page 1)o Supplemental signs(Page 1)o Warning signs(Page 1)o Railway crossing signs(Page 1)o Right-of-way signs(Page 1)o Speed limit signs(Page 1)o Regulatory signs(Page 1)o Parking signs(Page 2)o Service signs(Page 2)o Information and guide signs(Page 2)o Miscellaneous signs(Page 2)o Additional sign symbols(Page 2)o Additional sign information(Page 2)o Sign vocabulary(Page 2)

Signals(Page 2)Road markings(Page 2)
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SIGNSGermany has a comprehensive and uniform traffic sign system. All signs have standard shapes andcolors and use easy-to-understand international pictograms and symbols. The sign system wasoverhauled in the early '90s to more closely conform with European standards. Below, you will find a complete guide of German traffic signs with their official meaning and additionalnotes. These signs are from the official German traffic code and include all updates through 2007.Officially, German traffic signs are divided into three major categories: warning signs, regulation signs,and guide signs. However, I have divided the sign collection into several additional categories andI've placed each sign where it most logically belongs regardless of its official designation.In the German traffic code, most signs are assigned an official number. This number is used on traffictickets and accident reports when a sign is involved in the incident. You can obtain the official signnumber for each sign on this page by holding your mouse over the sign for a second (works with mostweb browsers). Note that the 2009 revision to the traffic code eliminated the official number anddefinition for some signs although the signs themselves were allowed to continue to be used as

necessary.These pages include ch anges made to the traf f ic code regarding signs that tookef fect in September 2009. Signs marked as "o bsolete" are being phased-out by2019. Signs marked as " deprecated" no longer carry an of f ic ia l def in i t ion, but can beused as needed. Signs marked as "new " w ere added in 2009.

Vehicle class symbolsTraffic signs in Germany employ a set of standard symbols to indicate the type or class of vehiclebeing referred to on the sign. Some of the symbols are inclusive in that they encompass severallesser classes as well. The following table outlines these symbols and their meanings:Symbol Descr ipt ion Other lesser includ ed classes

Motor vehic lesIncludes allmulti-track mo

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