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Germany
has always been a popular European tourist destination.
Situated at the heart of Europe, it allows easy
access to many great destinations. If you're looking
for some great travel ideas, check out our Trip
Planner section. TripAdvisor
is also a great source for travel info and tips.
There, you can read other traveler's reviews on
Austrian
travel destinations and get all the information
you need to decide on a great itinerary.
The
driving regulations - Germany page has all the
basic information you need for a successful road
trip in Germany and the surrounding countries.
Just add your regular common sense, and you're
all set.
Driving
regulations Germany
If
you rent an RV in Germany (or any other type of
motor vehicle), you should be aware of the traffic
rules, some of which differ from other countries.
Many people have the conception that there is
no speed restrictions on the Autobahn, but not
all roads are free of speed restrictions.
On
most motorways, the speed limit is 130 km/h in
the vicinity of nearby cities. Watch out for signs
regulating the traffic from 10pm to 6pm at night.
In any case you should follow the limit signs
as radar traps are frequent, especially in the
eastern part of Germany. Scroll down for more
driving facts and rental basics.
Cautionary
note - true for driving in any country you
are unfamiliar with: It is wise and just
good policy to study maps and know your routes
well before driving. Compared to other highways
in the world, some stretches of the autobahn do
not provide any convenient opportunities to turn
around if you are driving in the wrong direction.
Moreover,
GPS navigation systems can be very wrong, even
in Germany. Be prepared to pull over as soon as
possible to review routes if the GPS navigation
system provides questionable instructions.
General
driving regulations, Germany:
| General |
 |
There
are no tolls to pay on German Autobahns |
|
Laws
allowing per mil. blood alcohol when driving
are strictly applied |
|
Seat belts front and rear are obligatory everywhere |
|
No
handheld mobile phones are allowed while driving |
|
You
must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid
driving license and a major credit card to
be able to hire a car. Age limitations and
other restrictions regarding RV hire may differ
from one rental agency to another, so you'd
be wise to check before you rent. |
| |
| Speed
limits |
|
Speed
limits are implemented rigorously, radar traps
are frequent |
|
City 31mph/50kph, two lane highway 62mph/100kph |
|
Unless
otherwise marked, most motorways (Autobahns)
have no speed limit but 81mph/130kph is recommended |
| |
|
| Driving
license |
|
Non-EU (European Union) members need an international
driving license or an official German translation |
| |
|
| Rules
of the road |
|
If there is no policeman, no signal or no
sign indicating the right-of-way, then right-of-way
is always given to traffic approaching from
the right - this also includes situations
where main roads and small side streets cross
at uncontrolled intersections |
|
Driving
is on the right hand side, overtaking only
on the left side |
| |
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All
the information above regarding
driving regulations - GERMANY was accurate
at the time of writing.
Please
check to ensure it is still accurate before
you leave on your trip.
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| Additional
driving links for driving regulations GERMANY
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