Driving in Germany is an excellent way to experience its diverse landscapes, from scenic countryside routes to vibrant cities rich in history and culture. Whether you’re planning to drive along the Autobahn or heading to the bustling streets of Berlin and Munich, understanding Germany’s driving laws and requirements is essential for a safe and enjoyable trip. This guide provides key information and practical tips to help make your German road adventure smooth and memorable.

Emergency Services Telephone Number in Germany

Emergency telephones are linked to an SOS telephone network and are installed at 2km intervals along motorways.

The nearest emergency post is indicated by a black arrow on poles at the edge of the carriageway.

Some of the telephones in Germany have a button to request breakdown assistance and a separate button to request an ambulance.

112 – You can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you’re visiting.

The emergency telephone numbers in Germany specifically are:

• Police: 110

• Ambulance and Fire Brigade: 112

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

German Driving Licence Laws

Visitors must be 18 or older and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Germany.

What You Cannot Bring into Germany

Please be aware that you cannot bring the following items into Germany:

• Meat or products containing meat
• Milk or dairy products

To take the following items into Germany, you must first get a phytosanitary certificate:

• Fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians)
• Vegetables
• Plants
• Plant products

Documents You Need to Drive in Germany

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported in Germany for up to six months within any 12-month period. To comply with regulations, you should carry the following documents in the car with you:

• Full, valid UK driving licence
• Proof of id (passport)
• Motor insurance certificate
• V5 registration document
• Emissions sticker

Compulsory Equipment Checklist for Driving in Germany

You are required by law to carry the following items in Germany:

• Reflective jackets for every occupant in the car. You must wear one if you are required to leave your car in the event of an accident or breakdown.
• Warning triangle. Every vehicle with four or more wheels is required to have a warning triangle.
• Headlamp beam deflectors need to be fitted to prevent dazzling oncoming traffic, or you will have to adjust the beam manually.
• First-aid kit. This is also a compulsory item for four-wheeled vehicles to carry.
• Winter tyres. In winter conditions these must be fitted.
• Emissions sticker. Certain cities in Germany require you to have an emissions sticker; failing to have one could see you face a fine of €100.

German Rules of the Road

Seat Belt Law in Germany

If seat belts are fitted to your car, they must be worn by the driver and passengers in the front and rear seats. The driver is responsible for all passengers under 18 being suitably restrained.

The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is €30.

What side of the road do they drive on in Germany?

In Germany, you drive on the right and overtake on the left.

How to overtake in Germany

When traffic gets heavy and queues form with two or more lanes moving in the same direction, vehicles in the right lane may overtake those on the left.

Trams should be overtaken on the right when they are moving. However, if space is insufficient, then you can overtake on the left. On one-way streets, trams can be overtaken from either side, but priority must always be given to passengers boarding or alighting.

Drivers cannot overtake a school bus that has stopped outside a built-up area to let passengers on or off. German school buses can be identified by their red flashing lights.

Who has priority in Germany?

Traffic from the right has priority at crossroads and junctions unless otherwise indicated.

At intersections, vehicles turning left must yield to oncoming traffic.

All road users must yield to emergency vehicles displaying blue flashing lights, even if no siren is sounding.

Traffic on a roundabout has the right of way unless signage indicates otherwise. Drivers must signal before exiting the roundabout but should not signal upon entering.

In heavy traffic, drivers should not enter an intersection unless their exit is clear, even if they have priority or the traffic light is green.

Buses and school buses have priority when leaving stops. Drivers must yield when a bus signals its intention to rejoin traffic.

Using your horn in Germany

The use of light signals and audible warnings is allowed when you are overtaking outside built-up areas in cases of danger.

Traffic Lights

The international three colour traffic light system is used in Germany.

A red light with a green arrow pointing to the right allows you to turn right on the condition that you give way to other road users and pedestrians.

What are the speed limits in Germany?

As Germany uses the metric system for all road signs, it means all speed limits and other road signs that feature distance use kilometres and metres.

Road Type	KPH	MPH
Autobahn – white sign	No speed limit	No speed limit
Autobahn – red sign	130kph	80mph
Main roads	100kph	60mph
Built-up areas	50kph	30mph

German Speeding Fines

Speeding limits range from €10 for exceeding the speed limit by less than 10km/h on a motorway up to €680 for going over the limit by more than 70km/h in a built-up area. You’ll also face points on your licence and a driving ban for up to three months.

All fines must be paid within a week or legal proceedings will commence.

Are speed camera detectors allowed in Germany?

In short, no. If your GPS navigation system displays the locations of fixed-speed cameras, you must deactivate this feature. Using or possessing radar detection devices while driving in Germany is strictly prohibited.

Travelling with Children in Germany

The driver of the vehicle is responsible for making sure all children are wearing seat belts or appropriate restraints.

Child Car Seat Rules in Germany

Children over the age of three must travel in the rear seats of vehicles.

A child under 12 years old and shorter than 150 cm must be secured in an appropriate child seat or restraint system.

If a child seat or restraint is unavailable, children aged three and older must use a seat belt or another safety device attached to the seat. Children under three may not be transported without a proper child restraint system.

All child seats and restraints must meet European safety standards. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to €60.

Headphones and Mobile Phones

Using a mobile phone without a hands-free system, earpiece, or headphones while driving in Germany is illegal.

If caught, you may face a fine of up to €100.

Parking in Germany

In Germany, a vehicle is considered parked if it remains stationary for more than three minutes. Parking is prohibited in the following areas:

• Where a ‘parking prohibited’ sign is displayed
• Within 5 metres of pedestrian crossings and intersections
• On narrow roads or areas with limited visibility
• Less than 10 metres from traffic lights
• In taxi ranks
• Within 15 metres of bus stops or other public transport areas
• In front of vehicle entrances or in narrow streets opposite such entrances
• On the carriageway of priority roads outside built-up areas
• Along the kerb, facing oncoming traffic

Vehicles parked along public highways at night must have their front and rear lights illuminated. However, in built-up areas, this requirement does not apply to cars and motorcycles if they are sufficiently lit by streetlights or parked in designated parking spaces. Trailers must always display lights.

Enforcement of Parking Regulations

Wheel clamps are not used in Germany but vehicles can still be towed away.
Fines for parking violations range from €10 to €35. The cost of retrieving an impounded vehicle can be as high as €300.

Disabled Parking Access

The following concessions are available to disabled motorists including foreign badge holders:

• Free parking for up to three hours in restricted or no-parking zones (the arrival time must be displayed using a parking disc on the windscreen)
• Free, unlimited parking at metered or pay-and-display spaces
• Up to three hours of parking in resident permit holder spaces
• Parking allowed in pedestrian zones during designated loading and unloading times

These concessions apply only when no alternative parking options are available nearby.

Toll Roads in Germany

German roads do not charge tolls for private cars. There is a motorway tax however on all vehicle and vehicle combinations exceeding 7.5 tonnes. This is levied by electronic means.

German Alcohol Limits

Legal Limit

The maximum level of alcohol in the blood for private drivers is 0.05%.

For newly qualified drivers with less than two years experience and young drivers aged under 21, the limit is 0%.

If the police suspect you are under the influence of alcohol then the police can ask you to undergo a breath test. As the driver you can refuse this but you will then have to have a blood test.

If you are a novice driver and you’re found to have even a small amount of alcohol in your blood then you’ll receive a fine of €250 and two penalty points on your licence. Your probationary period will then be extended by two years.

Fuel

Unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG are widely available at fuel stations across Germany.

Most petrol stations operate from 08:00 to 20:00, with many pumps accepting credit cards. In larger cities, some stations are open 24 hours, and motorway service stations are accessible day and night.

Filling up your car in Germany is straightforward. Fuel stations will be marked with the word ‘Tankstelle’ (filling station) and are easy to spot. For petrol, look for pumps labelled ‘Benzin’. Diesel is labelled ‘diesel’ just as it is in the UK.

As with many other countries, fuel prices in Germany can fluctuate depending on time and location, so it’s a good idea to check current prices before you travel.

Rules and Regulations for the Autobahn

During your trip to Germany, you’ll likely find yourself driving on the iconic autobahn, which spans 8,080 miles and follows a consistent set of rules.

Here are some general guidelines for driving on the autobahn:

• Yield to traffic already on the autobahn when entering
• Overtaking from the right lane is strictly prohibited
• The recommended speed is 130 km/h for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes
• Do not use the hard shoulder unless indicated otherwise by road signs
• Be aware that there are no speed limits in certain restricted zones
• Stay in the right lane if you’re driving at a slower speed or not overtaking

Though driving on the autobahn can seem intimidating, it can be an enjoyable experience if you stay calm, stay aware and follow the rules.

Hiring a Car in Germany

Not all the information in the guide above may apply if you’re hiring a car in Germany but is still helpful to review to make sure you know everything you might need to know. If you are hiring a car in Germany, then here are the most important things you need to know:

• Minimum Age: The minimum age to hire a car is 18, although this may vary depending on the vehicle type.
• Driving License: A full, valid UK driving licence and usually a second proof of ID such as a passport.
• License Duration: Most car rental companies ask that you have held your licence for 1 to 3 years.
• Deposit Requirements: Some companies may require you to use a credit card for deposit.
• Travel Restrictions: If you want to drive outside of Germany then you may need to check with your hire company in advance.

By staying informed and preparing ahead, you’ll be looking at a smoother rental experience and focus on enjoying your trip.

For a hassle-free experience, you should consider investing in rental excess insurance. This means that if you accidentally damage the rental car, all you will have to do is pay the excess to the car hire company and then claim it back through us.

Familiarising yourself with Germany’s driving rules – including speed limits on the Autobahn – and securing the right insurance coverage, you can focus on what matters: making memories!