Driving in Germany

Basic Legal Requirements

Driving Licence

When driving in Germany, you will need to ensure you bring both parts of your driving licence - the Photocard plus the Paper Counterpart (D740). If you do not have a Photocard yet, only the paper copy is required, but you will need Photo ID, such as a Passport

You must be the holder of a full driving licence (not a provisional), and have passed your test. Even if you have already passed your full test, you must be at least 18 years old.

The International Driving Permit is not required, but if you would like one you can apply through the Post Office. The international driving permit is in addition to your driving licence, so you will need to carry both copies.

While a photocopy may be useful if your licence is lost, you should carry the original with you.

Car Documents

You should carry your vehicles Registration Certificate (V5C) with you, which should be updated to show your correct details. For security reasons, it's best NOT to leave the Registration Certificate in the vehicle while it is parked - it makes it harder to a thief to resell the vehicle if they do not have the documentation.

While a photocopy may be useful if your Registration Certificate is lost, you should carry the original with you.

Green Zone

Many German cities have a Green Zone. To enter these areas (known as “Umweltzone”) you need the appropriate sticker (“Plakette”). This can be obtained by applying to the city authorities, providing information on the vehicle, the emissions rating and making a small payment. You will need to request the sticker a few weeks in advance. There is a fine for not displaying the appropriate sticker in the Green Zone areas.

For more information see the site at http://www.stadt-koeln.de/3/umwelt/umweltzone/ (German language).

Insurance

It is compulsory to have at least third-party insurance for Germany, as for the UK. Most UK insurance policies will allow an element of European driving, often for a limited period.

Before leaving the UK, it is a good idea to contact your insurer, and check what your existing cover allows. You should request a 'Green Card' which is an internationally recognised form of proof of insurance. You should carry proof of insurance with you while driving.

If your existing insurance does not provide European cover for the period required, most insurance brokers will have a suitable policy covering Germany, and will provide Green Card.

Your Vehicle

Your headlights will need to be adjusted to ensure that they do not dazzle oncoming users.

Standard halogen headlights and Autobulbs Xenon HID Conversion kits can be modified by the use of a stick on Headlight Beam Adaptor. Vehicles with factory fitted Xenon HID headlights may find there is an adjuster either on the headlights themselves or on the dashboard - check your manual for details. If there is no adjuster, you may need to visit a dealer for them to make the adjustments, and again to change them back after your visit.

Reflective Jackets or vests are not required in Germany, but may be in some countries you pass through.

A Warning Triangle is required by residents, but not visitors, so bring one if you have it. In the event of an accident or breakdown, the triangle should be set up by the side of the road, at least 50 meters in the direction of of the traffic. If you have broken down in the outer lane of a dual carriageway or motorway, or attempting to place the warning triangle would place you in danger, do not use it. Remember to collect your warning triangle before leaving!

If you are planning on driving in Germany in winter, you must have a vehicle that is suitably equipped. Since the end of 2010, you must have suitable types, and may also need snow chains, as well as using anti- freeze coolant and washer liquid. Winter tyres need to have 'M + S' ('Matsch und Schnee' is German for 'slush and snow') or equivalent. If you do not have the correct tyres, or block the road as you are stuck you are liable for a fine of €40 or €80.

Children under the age of 1.5m (4 feet 10 inches) and under 12 years must use child seats or booster seats, unless all are already taken. All passengers must use seat belts if fitted

You may have a number plate that already has a valid 'GB' mark. If you do not, you will need to apply a GB sticker to the back of your vehicle.

There is a legal requirement to carry a first aid kit in the vehicle. There is not a requirement to carry a fire extinguisher, but they are generally a useful safety item to carry in your vehicle if you have the space.

It is recommended (but not required) that you carry a spare bulb kit suitable for your vehicle. While HID bulbs last longer than their halogen counterparts, it makes sense to carry at least one spare Xenon HID bulb suitable for your headlights.

Driving - Legal Requirements

Lights

Dipped headlights are required on motorcycles all the time, and on other vehicles when there is low visibility, such as when it is raining. They are also required when driving through tunnels - you will see reminder signs before and after the tunnels. You must not use main beam in built up areas.

Speed Limits

Speed limits can be modified by local signs, but the usual ones are:

• Built- up areas: 31 mph or 50 km/h
• Outside built- up areas: 62 mph or 100 km/h
• Motorways/Expressways: 80 mph or 130 km/h
• Autobahns: No limit

There is a recommended limit on the Autobahns of 130 km/h (80mph), but there are no specific limits as long as the speed is safe for the conditions. Speed limits reduce to 50km/h when there is reduced visibility due to rain, fog or snow.

Traffic Priorities

Traffic from the right has priority unless otherwise indicated, so traffic joining from a side road may have priority. Be aware in towns that traffic from turnings on the right will pull out in front of you. A diamond shaped sign, yellow with a white border, indicates you are on a road where you have priority.

Pedestrian on crossing have priority as soon as they leave the pavement.

Accidents

If you are involved in even a minor accident you must not leave the scene for at least 30 minutes, and must exchange personal and insurance information with the other drivers. There are severe penalties for not complying.

Even minor car park shunts need to be properly handled - leaving your name and phone number on the other vehicle is not accepted practice in Germany.

Helmets

Helmets are compulsory at all times for scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. Visors should not have a tint of more than 50%, but apparently the local Police do not rigidly enforce this.

Overtaking

Overtaking is only on the left (the outside lane) of motorways and Autobahns. In multi- lane roads inside built up areas, you generally can pass on either side.

You must not overtake a school but at or approaching a stopping point. Non- school buses can be overtaken as normal.

On the Autobahns be prepared to move out of the way of faster vehicles to let them through. In good weather and light traffic conditions cars may appear from behind very quickly. German cars are limited to 155mph (250km/h) - and many of them can reach it.

Warning with Horn and Lights

As in the UK you should not use the horn except to warn of danger. Using it inappropriately is much less socially acceptable than other European countries.

With lights, it is now an offence to flash headlights to get drivers to move out of the way. In towns flashed headlights are commonly used to indicate the other driver is allowing you through.

It is also an offence to use certain hand gestures (you know what we mean!) to other road users.

GPS, Speed Cameras and Phones

You must NOT use any form of radar detector, or a GPS unit that contains the locations of speed cameras. Note that if caught speeding you are more likely to receive a fine by post than an on- the spot fine.

It is an offence to use a hand- held mobile phone in Germany while driving. Similarly, any display screens fitted, such as a DVD player, must be set up in such a way so the driver cannot see it.

Alcohol

Drink driving in Germany is similar to most European countries. Over 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood will result in a fine and a short driving ban. Significantly more will result in much larger fines and longer loss of your licence. Note that this is slightly lower than the 80mg blood alcohol allowed in the UK, so the safest option is not to drink at all when you are driving.

Be aware that you may still have alcohol in your blood if you have been drinking the evening before.

City Centre Traffic Restrictions

Many German cities have a Green Zone. To enter these areas (known as “Umweltzone”) you need the appropriate sticker (“Plakette”). This can be obtained by applying to the city authorities, providing information on the vehicle, the emissions rating and making a small payment. You will need to request the sticker a few weeks in advance. There is a fine for not displaying the appropriate sticker in the Green Zone areas.

For more information see the site at http://www.stadt-koeln.de/3/umwelt/umweltzone/ (German language).

Police and Fines

Police in Germany can and issue on the spot fines for a range of offences including:

• Speeding and motoring offences
• Not wearing seat belts
• Inappropriate hand gestures
• Inappropriate use of horn or lights

Visitors driving in Germany will be expected to pay the fine immediately by cash or Euro cheque - police cannot take cards or payments in sterling. If you do not have enough cash on you, the police may allow you to be escorted to a cash point. If you cannot pay the fine, the vehicle may well be impounded until you do.

If you do get stopped by the police, remember to remain polite. If you are abusive you can and will be arrested on the spot, and may find yourself facing more than a on- the- spot fine.

Driving Tips

• Drive on the right! It's easy to forget to drive on the right when changing roads, exiting motorways, going on to roundabouts or starting for the first time in the morning. Put a sticker on your dashboard, teach the kids to chant 'drive on the right' every time you get in the car or even wear one driving glove to remind yourself.
• Go round roundabouts ANTI- Clockwise.
• Be aware of the speed some cars will be travelling on the Autobahns, and move back into the right lane promptly after passing.
• Remember to reverse the directions you look, especially on roundabouts. Your instinct when turning left will be to only look to the right, but as you have to cross both lanes, remember to look both directions. This is particularly tricky when crossing dual carriageways and joining roundabouts. Reversing the directions you check will also help when you are a pedestrian - remember to look right before stepping off the kerb.
• Traffic can heavy in Germany at all times. Ensure you allow adequate time for journeys, especially at rush hour.
• Signs are generally the same as their UK equivalents, but there will be a lot of advisory signs for parking and similar. A German phrase book or dictionary will help with translations.
• Petrol (95 and 98 Ron), diesel and LPG are widely available. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Not all UK cards issued by UK banks will work, so check with them before travelling.
• Lead replacement petrol is not available. The best option may be to take along supplies of fuel additive, although this is available locally.
• Spares and parts for some vehicles may be hard to locate in Germany, especially for imported or more unusual cars. It is worth checking the basic wear items like tyres, brakes and windscreen wipers, and carry a spare bulb kit and fuses suitable for your vehicle. Remember to check the spare wheel or inflation kit as well.
• If you are towing and use a mirror extender, check yours can be used on the left to maximise visibility when driving on the right.
• If you have UK breakdown assistance, it may well provide limited European cover. If it does not (or you do not have breakdown cover) consider getting this for the duration of your holiday. Recovering your vehicle from Germany could be expensive, and repairing it locally may be difficult to arrange.
• Road conditions are normally very good throughout West Germany, but some areas of East Germany can still be poor. Upgraded headlight bulbs or Xenon HID headlight conversion give longer viewing distances at night (useful for high speed Autobahns runs) and for any roads in poor condition.

Useful Links

• European travel equipment: Autobulbs European driving accessories and spare bulbs
• Germany-Tourism.co.uk: Official Tourist website for English visitors to Germany
• Jabbalab.com: Learn German with a unique on-line learning tool
• Wikipedia.org/Germany: Wikipedia entry on Germany