On this page you will find some information about driving a car in Germany.

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Speed Limit for Cars 50 – 100 – ∞

On German roads we have these default speed limits unless traffic signs tell you otherwise:

• In towns, villages etc. 50 km/h
• In the countryside 100 km/h
• On Highways there is no speed limit (recommended speed is some 130km/h)

 

Speed limit signs are round with a red border and the speed limit in black.
Fun fact: Such a sign with nothing written inside (i.e. round white sight with a red border) means: you may not drive here (kind of a speed limit of "no speed allowed at all").

Highways have blue traffic signs and when you drive onto one the sign on the right tells you so.

Please note that on many highways there is a speed limit of 120 km/h whereas in urban areas you will more often than not see a speed limit of 30 km/h.

Speeding Fines

You want to adhere to the speed limits – even if you will see the odd driver ignoring them.

When caught speeding you will have to pay – the amount being between 30 and 680 EUR depending on how much you went too fast.

If you drive more than 20 km/h above the permitted speed limit in a town you will get a driving ban; outside of towns this happens when 25 km/h above the speed limit.
Depending on how massive your breach of the speed limit is the driving ban will be just one month, or two, or even three months. You don’t want that.

For more details you want to visit this page: German driving laws

Traffic signs

Assuming that most visitors from abroad will rely on public transport or enjoy a pre or post tour that includes the transport we will keep this part rather short.

The probably most important signs are the ones for speed limits that you can see further up on this page and perhaps the ones for environmental zones you willpurch find further down.

If you want to delve into the traffic signs, please visit this page German Traffic Signs and Signals

Right of way

Please keep these rules in mind:

• Pedestrians generally have the right of way at crosswalks.
• Bicycles are also widely used, and drivers should be cautious of bike lanes and cyclists.
• At a road junction with no traffic signs the rule is “right before left”, that is of two vehicles reaching the junction the one on the right-hand side has the right of way.
• In roundabouts this is different since the vehicles in the roundabout have the right of way.

Environmental zones (Umweltzonen)

Germany has implemented environmental zones in many cities to reduce air pollution.

Vehicles driving in these zones must have a valid environmental sticker (Umweltplakette) well visible at the bottom passenger side corner of the wind shield stating the registration plate number of the vehicle.

These stickers come in three colours – red, yellow, and green – corresponding to different emission standards:

iStock Credit: EdnaM

Only vehicles with a green sticker are allowed in most environmental zones and are indicated by these signs:

iStock Credit: Firn

This is also valid for all vehicles registered in foreign countries, be it cars, trucks, or busses, as well as both for business travellers and for tourists.

Vehicles without environmental sticker may not pass through the environmental zones and are thus banned from quite a few towns and will be fined if caught.

You want to check the environmental zones in the cities you plan to visit. Maps and details are often available on city websites and travel guides. The „Green-Zones“ app, available both in the Apple App Store and Google Play can help you with this. You will find a download link on Umwelt-Plakette.de.

Hot to Purchase an Environmental Sticker

At Umwelt-Plakette.de you can purchase the environmental sticker, if needed.

These stickers can also be purchased in person at vehicle registration offices (Kfz-Zulassungsstellen), TÜV and DEKRA inspection stations, or some local garages and car dealers.

• You will need your vehicle registration document and a proof of the vehicle’s emission standard (usually included in the registration document).
• For online orders it typically takes 1-2 weeks for the sticker to be processed and delivered.
  Obtaining the sticker in person is usually immediate, provided you have all necessary documents.
• The cost for the sticker ranges from approximately 5 to 20 EUR, depending on where and how you purchase it.

Once obtained, the sticker should be affixed to the inside of your vehicle's windshield on the passenger side, where it is easily visible.

Rental Cars

If you are renting a car in Germany, ensure that it already has a green environmental sticker to avoid any mishaps during travel.

Most (if not all) rental companies provide vehicles with the necessary stickers.

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