Driving on German roads is very well regulated and if you don’t adhere to the rules you will get penalty points against your name and hefty fines. Your licence can be suspended when you reach a certain amount of points (currently 8). Ignorance of road rules is not an excuse.
The ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) website has the following information:
| Vehicle Insurance | Compulsory |
| Children | Children up to 12 years of age who are smaller than 1.5 metres are only allowed to ride in a child seat. There are various models depending on the child’s age and height. The right selection will determine your child’s safety. |
| Emergency Lanes | ” Die Rettunsgasse muss bereits gebildet werden, sobald der Verkehr stockt und nicht erst, wenn die Rettungskräfte mit Blaulicht und Martinshorn kommen. “ The emergency lane must be formed as soon as the traffic stops and not only when the emergency services come with blue light and a siren. |
| First aid kit in the vehicle DIN 13164 | In your car you must have a safety vest (it is even better if you have one for each passenger), a warning triangle and an up to date first aid kit. As from Feb 2022 – two mouth and nose covers must be included in your kit |
| Reflective vest | In your car you must have a safety vest (it is even better if you have one for each passenger), a warning triangle and an up to date first aid kit. |
| Warning triangle | In your car you must have a safety vest (it is even better if you have one for each passenger), a warning triangle and an up to date first aid kit. |
| Fuel | Running out of fuel on the Autobahn is an offence and you can get a fine. |
| In the case of an accident | In an emergency with injured persons, you should immediately phone the number 112. In a non-emergency, you should phone 110 for the police. Remain at the accident site until the police have arrived. Whoever has damaged a parked car and cannot reach the owner should inform the police and must wait until the accident has been reported. Leaving a note is not enough. Causing an accident and leaving the scene is considered a hit and run and will be punished with a monetary fine or imprisonment up to three years. If your car breaks down on the highway, put on your emergency vest, set up the warning triangle and wait for help in safety behind the guardrail. |
| Motorcycle helmet | If you drive a moped, scooter or motorcycle, you must always wear a helmet. The same applies to the passenger. |
| Roundabout / Traffic Circle | Give way to the left unless signed otherwise. |
| Seat belts | Compulsory for all passengers. |
| Winter Tyres | Compulsory in Winter conditions. Rule of thumb – O bis O (Oktober bis Ostern) |
| Drinking and Driving | Do not drink and drive! Under German law, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.5‰ or higher. Penalties include fines and suspension of the driver’s license for a specified duration, depending on the severity of the violation. Fines |
| Black Ice (Glatteis) | If you spot black ice, immediately ease off the accelerator (petrol/gas). Once on an icy stretch, avoid accelerating, braking, downshifting, or making sudden directional changes. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. If you begin to lose control, steer gently toward the edge of the road where sand or salt residues may provide better traction. |
You have the right-of-way at all intersections on this road unless overridden by a "Yield," "Stop," or "End of Priority Road" sign. Parking is not allowed on this road outside of urban areas.
Shown in kilometers per hour.
This sign removes all previous speed limit and passing restrictions. The default speed limits now apply.
Sign at an intersection and a definition of the priority. The Thick line has priority.
Indicated in km/h. You must drive at or above this speed unless slower driving is required due to road, weather, or traffic conditions.
This sign restricts all vehicle access, though exceptions are often listed on an accompanying supplemental sign.
Be cautious on the road and watch for warning signs. These red-triangle signs with white backgrounds and black pictograms offer important safety information and should be noted to avoid potential dangers while driving.
Regulatory signs are vital for road safety. They give clear orders to drivers, reducing the chance of accidents and ensuring compliance with traffic rules. In Germany, circular signs with red indicate prohibitive actions and and blue circles indicate prescriptive actions. These signs are non-negotiable and must be followed to avoid penalties and legal consequences.
Everyday traffic situations can quickly escalate in road users harassing or throwing swear words at each other, and reacting aggressively.
Derogatory gestures like showing someone a middle finger or using swear words like “A…hole” are not only rude and offensive, but they can also constitute a criminal offence (§ 185 StGB).
Winter introduces new challenges and regulations for drivers. It’s important to stay updated on the relevant laws to avoid fines. Below are the key rules you need to know for winter driving.
Let your car engine run to defrost the windows. "Standheizung" is allowed
Driving without your lights on. Switching your lights on helps with visibility
Snow on your car's hood or roof can blow onto other cars' windscreens causing dangerous conditions and accidents. Be a responsible driver by taking preventive measures like removing snow before driving.
Driving without winter tyres despite wintery road conditions. In addition to a fine you will also get on point against you.
Not adjusting your speed in poor visibility conditions. In addition to a fine you will also get on point against you.
For safe winter driving, clear all windows of frost and snow to maintain optimal visibility. Neglecting to do so can be dangerous, obstructing your vision and preventing you from seeing potential hazards.
The winter conditions in Germany can make the roads dangerous and slippery to drive on.Winter conditions are for example black ice, slippery snow, slush, slippery ice or frost. (Glatteis, Schneeglätte, Schneematsch, Eis- und Reifglätte). According to German law (November 2010), you are not allowed to drive without Winter tyres on
The traffic law in Germany stipulates that all drivers must carry a first aid kit (Verbandkasten) in their vehicle. The contents of your first aid kit must comply with the DIN 13164 standard. Motorcycles and tractors are exempt. Quad bikes are not.The current (2022) fine for not carrying a first
Your Guide to Driving Legally in Germany Visiting Germany: If you’re visiting for a short period, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your valid South African driver’s licence. You can apply for the IDP at the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA). Staying Longer: For stays longer than
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