On the German roads with the breeze and the smile of the driver in the car left behind! This is exactly the impression one gets when driving on the roads of Germany. We would like to add to and expand the reputation of the country with excellent road surfaces, which is widely known, by introducing information about the excellent manners of the Germans on the roads. They pass without nerves, horns and swear words, they treat newbies who make mistakes with understanding and benevolence. Citizens of the country drive carefully, do not exceed speed limits and, most interestingly, do not consider their roads to be that good.
If you decide to rent a car upon arrival in Germany, let’s go into more detail about traffic rules and everything you need to know on the country’s roads.
Photo: iStock
Let’s start, perhaps, with the congestion of German roads.
According to the country’s experts, the A3, A1 and A8 roads were recognized as the busiest freeways in 2019.
The A1 motorway , 730 km long, originates in Heiligenhafen and ends near Saarbrücken, passing through Hamburg, Bremen, Saar and other cities, crossing almost all of Germany from south to north. Autobahn A3 – the road from Emmerich to Passau is 769 kilometers long. The A8 is an autobahn in southern Germany, 497 km long, which originates in the neighboring country of Luxembourg, passes through the large German cities of Stuttgart and Munich, and ends near the Austrian city of Salzburg.
As for cities, Hamburg and Berlin hold the first places in terms of occupancy rate. Next on the list is the federal state of Baden-Württemberg with the central city of Stuttgart, and North Rhine-Westphalia with the largest city of Cologne. Experts note that there are fewer traffic jams in Bavaria, Bremen, Hesse and Lower Saxony.
Toll roads in Germany
Photo: trans info
The territory of Germany is administratively divided into federal states. Only their trucks and road trains can travel along the routes connecting these lands. For all vehicles up to 3.5 tons, travel on roads and autobahns is free. You, driving a car with such mass, drive freely on all roads of the country and do not buy any vignettes.
If you drive a car heavier than 3.5 tons, then you need to pay for travel.
In Germany, there is a road toll system in which the price is calculated based on the distance. It is called “Toll Collect” . Since January 1, 2005, Toll Collect has been steadily and reliably operating the world’s first satellite toll collection system for trucks on motorways and federal highways. Payment can be made via the terminal, via the Internet or at the cash desks located before entering the toll road.
But we will have to add a spoonful of tar to this honey barrel of German free roads. There is a toll to travel through the tunnels and one panoramic road, Rossfeldstrasse (link), which takes people 1,600 meters above sea level for unforgettable views.
Photo: Stelios Valtzis
The fare on Rossfeld Panoramastrasse for a motorcycle will be €4.50, for a car – €8, for a bus – €55. All prices include passengers of the specified vehicles.
It is also necessary to pay for entry to the territory of ecological zones, which are located in the centers of some large cities. These zones are designated by the German word Umweltzone. To move through these zones, you need to purchase a vignette. It can be obtained in special centers of technical inspection for a small amount of euros – from 5 to 15 €. The final cost will depend on how much your car emits into the environment.
If you enter the territory of the ecological zone without a vignette, be prepared to pay a fine of €40.
Toll tunnels in Germany
Tunnel Warnow
Photo: bouygues-construction
The Varniv road tunnel is located in the city of Rostock and connects the western and eastern banks of the Varniv river. Its length is 790 meters. The toll is €3.50 from November to March, and €4.30 from May to October.
Herren Tunnel
Photo: rtsbaltics
The 780-meter-long road tunnel runs under the Trave River on the German Federal Highway 75, connecting the cities of Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, and Delmenhorst, Lower Saxony. The toll is 1.7€.
You can pay for travel through both tunnels in cash to the operator, or with euro coins in the machine.
Gas stations and fuel prices in Germany
Photo: Vladislav Bezrukov / flickr
In Germany, gas stations are represented by the companies Agip, Aral, AVIA, Esso, OMV, Shell and Total. There are also small private gas stations. It is on them that you can find the best price for fuel, as Shell, Aral, Agip and OMV have the highest price tags on the market, followed by AVIA, Esso and Total with slightly lower prices.
There are several features that are important to consider in order to save money at the gas station.
The cost of fuel varies throughout the day. The highest price is at night and in the morning. Then the price decreases until the evening, and by 7-8 in the evening it is the lowest. Therefore, do not be surprised by the huge number of cars at gas stations at this time.
The cost of fuel changes during the week. The highest prices fall on Friday, which is explained by the approach of the weekend, and on Sunday, prices decrease.
Gasoline is more expensive on autobahns. Because of this feature, preference should be given to gas stations in the city or on the outskirts.
The cost of fuel at different gas stations can vary by up to 5 cents, so a driver can easily overpay up to €10 for one gas station.
Gasoline, diesel and gas are used in the country. A large number of cars with electric motors that need gas stations. There are more than 3,000 of them in Germany.
Photo: germanexpert
Please note that petrol with BIO and SUPER markings and diesel with BIO markings are often found at gas stations.
BIO – fuel produced from rapeseed. It can be poured into the gas tank only if the car manufacturer provides for it.
SUPER – fuel produced from petroleum products.
Bio diesel in its composition has a minimum sulfur content and is prone to biological decomposition almost completely, which reduces the level of water pollution.
It is possible to fill up with gas in Germany. Almost all gas stations have such an option, but cars with gas installations are not particularly common.
Self-service and prepaid are available at most gas stations. You choose the desired type of gasoline, insert the gun into the gas tank, go to the cashier, tell the column number and the amount of fuel, pay and only then fill up the car. International credit cards are accepted for payment. If you pay in cash, bills with a denomination of more than €200 may not be accepted.
And now about fuel prices in Germany. The price of gasoline in Germany is higher than in other EU countries. The reason for this is that fuel taxes are lower or absent in other countries.
As of August 2020, the average price of 95 gasoline is €1.39 per liter, and €1.27 per liter of diesel fuel. Charging an electric vehicle at Supercharger charging stations is €0.2 per minute at a charging rate of up to 60 kW per hour and €0.4 per minute at a charging rate of 60 kW per hour or more.
Mandatory documents for driving in Germany
If you travel in Germany by car, your own or rented, you must have a driver’s license, technical license, and transport insurance with you. In the case of a rental car, there is also a rental agreement and an act of acceptance and transfer.
Photo: highlight
Things to take with you in a car in Germany
German legislation defines what must be in a car. This is a first aid kit, warning reflective triangle and high-visibility vest for the driver.
If the police find the absence of the necessary in the car, a fine will be issued. €5 for the absence of a first-aid kit, €15 for a vest and a triangle.
Prohibited equipment includes radar warning devices. A fine of €75 is imposed for their use.
There is also a requirement for the tinting percentage of the windshield and front side glass — it should not be tinted by more than 15%. A fine of 90 € is imposed for tinting the windows above the established norm.
Parking rules in Germany and fines for violations
Photo: aussiedlerbote
The country notes a lack of parking spaces, especially in large cities. Therefore, you can often see a parking permit only for residents of the city or district. There are practically no free parking lots, but there are plenty of paid ones. For a fee, there is enough space for everyone.
In order to freely use some city parking lots, it is necessary to purchase a special disk that is placed in a prominent place, for example, on the front panel under the windshield. The parking start time is set on it. It can be purchased at all gas stations. If you can’t find it, ask for “Parkscheibe” .
Photo: columbista
Parking lots with the use of a parking ticket are common in the country. It can be a receipt printed directly from the parking machine, or a pre-printed ticket on which you only need to manually write the appropriate time of arrival for parking.
If the parking lot is marked with a “Parkschein” sign, you must take a parking ticket or coins upon entry.
In some places, combined systems are used, with the possibility of choosing between different parking payment systems.
Payment for parking of any type can be made at the machines located near the exit from the parking lot.
Fines for some parking violations. Stopping for 1 hour on a sidewalk, bicycle path, on a narrow street that cannot be seen, on a section of sharp turns involves a fine of 15 €. The same penalty will apply if you stop for 1 hour less than 5 meters from a pedestrian crossing, railway crossing, less than 10 meters from light signs, in the area of effect of the “No Stopping” sign and in the area of effect of the “No Stopping” sign with restrictions. If your car creates an obstacle for other road users – a fine of €25. If parking is longer than one hour, the fine is €25 and €35, respectively.
For creating an obstacle to the movement of vehicles of rescue services, the amount of the fine will be 40 euros.
Traffic laws of Germany and the main features
Photo: maxfff / Pikabu
The speed of movement and its limits depend on the type of road you are driving on:
- 50 km/h – on the territory of the settlement.
- 100 km/h is the speed when driving outside the settlement.
- 130 km/h is the recommended speed when driving on the Autobahn, although there is no limit.
As for driving on the autobahn, it is important to take into account the lower permissible speed limit, which is 60 km/h. If anti-skid chains are installed on the car, the lower limit is 50 km/h.
It was emphasized that on the roads, especially on the autobahns, it is easy to distinguish a local from a visitor. The latter like to press the pedal to the floor and accelerate, because there is no speed limit on the autobahns, and the locals drive “slowly”.
Speeding on non-autobahn roads is punishable by fines.
Exceeding the minimum speed limit
Photo: maxfff / Pikabu
in populated areas 50 km/h / outside populated areas 100 km/h
- per 10 km/year – €15 / €10;
- for 15 km/year – €25 / €20;
- for 20 km/year – €35 / €30;
- at 25 km/year – €80 / €70;
- at 30 km/year – €100 / €80;
- at 40 km/year – €160 / €120;
- at 50 km/year – €200 / €160;
- at 60 km/year – €280 / €240;
- at 70 km/year – €480 / €440;
- more than 75 km/h – €680 / €600.
Drunk driving in Germany
Drinking alcohol while driving is frowned upon and punishable by law, as everywhere else, but there are small concessions for people over 21 years of age. The permissible alcohol limit in Germany is from 0.3 to 0.5 ppm. You will drive without a fine if there are no signs of safe driving.
For returning drivers under the age of 21, there is an absolute ban on drinking alcohol.
Photo: DPA
The first detection of more than 0.5 ppm in the blood is a fine of €500, the second – €1,000, and the third – €1,500.
If 1.1 ppm is detected in the blood, the violator faces a fine or imprisonment.
But that’s not all. There is narcotic intoxication and in Germany fines are also provided for it. The first detection of traces of cannabis, heroin, cocaine, morphine, amphetamine or ecstasy in the blood is a fine of €500, the second – €1,000, and the third – €1,500.
Low beam and fog lights in Germany
When driving in Germany, it is necessary to use dipped beam only when visibility is reduced. It is also necessary to turn them on if you drive in tunnels and multi-story parking lots.
If you do not turn on the dipped beam in the tunnel, you will be fined 10€.
It is also prohibited to use fog lights instead of dipped beam under visibility conditions of more than 100 meters. For this violation of the rules – a fine of 10€.
Seat belts and children in cars in Germany
Safety above all! The driver, front and rear seat passengers must wear seat belts. Otherwise, there is a fine of €30.
There are certain requirements for transporting children in Germany. Children under 12 years of age must be transported in special restraint systems that correspond to their weight.
Children from 3 years old with a height of up to 150 cm are transported only in the back seat of the car.
Using the phone and other devices while driving in Germany
In Germany, it is forbidden to talk on a mobile phone while driving. If you need to receive calls, make sure to buy a headset or be prepared to pay a fine of €40.
Germany’s main autobahns
The largest autobahn in the country is the A7 (Flensburg-Memmingen) with a length of 962 km. It is part of the European route E45. Hamburg, Hanover, Würzburg can be reached by this highway. The 3,101-meter-long tunnel under the Elba River makes a huge impression on tourists.
Another large-scale autobahn A3 has a length of 769 km. It is included in the structure of the main transport roads of Europe. It starts near the border with Holland and ends at the entrance to Austria. Photo: Philipp Katzenberger / Unsplash.com
Autobahn A1 (739 km) is a continuation of the 207th highway, which starts from the ferry station of Fehmarn Island. The motorway provides access to Lower Saxony, Bremen and the Ruhr region. The route is also known as Hansalinie (Hansa Road) and Vogelfluglinie (Bird Flight Path).
Driving on motorways in Germany
Photo: maxfff / Pikabu
If your route includes traffic on the autobahn, then you need to familiarize yourself with what is definitely not desirable to do there. First. Drive at a speed below 60 km/h. This is the minimum recommended speed. Second. Stop on the autobahn unless you have a good reason. Stopping is allowed only within service zones, where gas stations and cafes are usually located. The third. Turn, move in reverse in the lane of oncoming traffic on exits and entrances. Be prepared to pay a €50 fine for this. If you do this on the reserve lane, the fine will be €100, and if on the main lane – €150. The fourth. You cannot park on the autobahn. A fine of €40 is charged for this. Yes, everything is in order in Germany, and it is necessary to be financially responsible for breaking the rules.
What is the speed limit on the Autobahn in Germany?
There is only a recommended speed on the autobahn in Germany – 130 km/h.
More than 50% of autobahn sections in Germany do not have speed limits.
Policemen on autobahns in Germany
The police overtake the violator and turn on the huge red inscription “HALT! POLICE!” or show such a sign from the car window. Violators do not have to stop immediately. They need to follow the police to the nearest congress.
Official police cars in Germany are equipped with powerful engines that are capable of reaching enormous speeds in seconds. Therefore, the violator should not even try to break away from the law enforcement officers.
What to do in case of a road accident in Germany?
Photo: delta-telesfor
We really hope that such information will not be useful and the trip will pass without force majeure, but in the event of an accident, the driver must:
- stay at the scene;
- place an emergency stop sign and wear a reflective vest;
- inform the lessor about what happened;
- photograph the scene of the accident in all details;
- photograph cars involved in road accidents;
- call the police at number 110;
- call an insurance expert.
In the car insurance policy, the contact number of the insurance company is indicated, which can be used to call it anywhere in the country. When signing the rental agreement, ask the representative of the rental company which phone numbers to call in case of an accident. To be on the safe side, put this number in your phone contacts.
The insurance expert will need a police report to register an insurance case for heavy losses or the presence of injured people. This requirement is mandatory to ensure the validity of insurance coverage.