Driving a car in Germany

We provide you with information regarding traffic and safety regulations in Germany, such as speed limits and controls or the rescue lane on German motorways.

Furthermore, numerous German cities have also set up Low Emission Zones. If you drive in one of these zones without a badge, you will be fined.

If there are no other signs along the road indicating the speed limit, your speed is limited to

• 50 km/h in built – up areas

• 100 km/h for cars (without trailers) outside built up areas

• 130 km/h on the motorways (Richtgeschwindigkeit  – recommended speed)

• 80 km/h for cars with trailers (including caravans) on any road including motorways

Radar traffic detectors: In Germany there are permanently installed radar traffic detectors throughout the country. Sometimes you will see a "Radarkontrolle" sign warning you of the presence of radar control. There are also mobile radar speed checks.

If you exceed the speed limit by 20 km/h or less, you may be fined from 30 to 70 €. Above that, the fines increase significantly and you will also receive points against your license in the German car registry.

According to the EU enforcement agreement, fines of 70 € or more can be enforced in other EU-countries.

• Vehicles from other countries which do not have a European registration plate incorporating the country code are required to display a sticker showing their country of origin.

• A car with a foreign license plate may only be driven in Germany for a maximum of one year and if the regular location of the vehicle is not in Germany. After that, the license plate must be changed to a German one.

• A reflective vest, a warning triangle and a first aid box are mandatory for all cars.

• Not wearing a seat belt carries a fine of 30 €.

• Children must be at least 12 years old or 150 cm tall to sit in the front seat and/or use a regular seatbelt. Children under the age of 12 or 150 cm, must use an approved child seat. Otherwise, you may be fined up to 60 €.

• The tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 1,6 mm. Otherwise a fine of 60 € may be imposed.

• Winter tyres are compulsory in winter weather conditions. All season tyres are also acceptable. The fine for not conforming to this rule is at least 60 €.

• While driving, mobile phones may only be used in conjunction with a hands free system (otherwise there is a fine of 100 €). Cyclists can also be fined for using their mobile phones while cycling.

• Priority is always given to traffic coming from the right unless there is a road sign indicating that you have priority.

• Motorcyclists must switch on their headlights even in daylight.

• Motorcyclists must wear helmets.

Germany has strict rules on drinking and driving. The blood alcohol limit is 0,5 per mill. If your level of alcohol is over the limit, you will be charged with a fine of at least 500 €.

However, if you behave in an unusual manner, you can be fined with a blood alcohol limit of 0,3 per mill or higher.

Beginners beware! For drivers who have had their license for less than 2 years or are under the age of 21, the blood alcohol limit is 0,0 %. The minimum fine is 250 €.

Driving under the influence of drugs is forbidden and choosing to do so will expose you to penalties. The smallest trace of illegal drugs can result in punishment. The police have the authority to order a drug test if they suspect drug abuse.

As it stands, there is currently no extra charge forpassenger cars on any road.

Trucks with more than twelve tons gross vehicle weight have to pay a toll for the use of the motorways and some highways. 

On Sundays and public holidays, trucks with a permissible total weight of more than 7.5 t are not allowed to drive between 0:00 and 22:00. The ban on driving on Sundays and public holidays only applies to freight transport in the commercial sector.

The fuel is more expensive along the autobahn than on other roads. Especially free gas stations which do not always accept credit cards.

• The fine for parking without a parking ticket in public spaces starts at 10 €, but can quickly skyrocket. For example, illegal parking on special bus lanes costs 55 €. Private parking companies may charge higher rates.

• If a car is blocking access for the fire service or is illegally using a place reserved for disabled people, the car is usually towed away. The costs for this can be significant.