Driving in Germany
Driving in Germany, the first things that comes to mind is the German Motorway, the so called Federal Motorway (Bundesautobahn) without any federal mandated Speed limit for some category of the Vehicle. In general speed restriction are enforced in specially zone like Urban, Construction, accident zone, etc.
Driving around the country will be a pleasure due to its well-maintained and modern roads. Pay close attention to traffic signs and signals. Rush hours are generally 7.00-9.00 and 16.00-18.00 on weekdays.
The German broadcasting company has implemented a radio frequency that automatically interrupts any program in order to announce recent traffic delays (Staumeldungen) on the Autobahn. This is very useful as it gives you the opportunity to avoid delays and take alternative routes.
Most of the car lovers all around the world love to drive in Germany & is important to know the rules & regulation to drive safe & comfortably. The below shared information should help & guide all you need.
Rent a Car
- Insurance Certificate, which is green in color .
- All emergency Equipment( First aid kit, warning triangle, safety vest etc.)
- Make sure you know about all controls, nobs and buttons in the car.
- Make a small test run in the lot and ask the attendant for any one questions.
Parking
Another biggest problem is finding a Proper and legal parking lot close to your destination. In most German cities, you'll have a good selection of parking facilities. There is the on-street parking as well as off-street parking lots (Parkplatz), above-ground garages (Parkhaus), and underground garages (Tiefgarage).
Always park facing the same direction as the traffic on one-way streets. On-street parking may require you to use a parking voucher, parking disc, or parking meter.
Parking vouchers (Parkschein)
The sign "mit Parkschein" requires you to purchase a parking voucher before leaving your vehicle. These are obtained from a nearby automatic vending machine (Parkscheinautomat) the operation of these machines varies, but instructions (usually with pictures) are clearly posted on the front. Find the parking rates (Parkgebühr) on the front of the machine and deposit the corresponding amount. Once you've selected and paid for the time you'll need, press the designated "finish" button (often green) and the machine will dispense a small ticket (voucher) as well as any change. Return to your vehicle and place the voucher on the dashboard where it may be easily read from the outside if you cannot locate the machine, use a parking disc instead, you can then stay up to the maximum length of time shown on the signs.
Parking discs (Parkscheibe)
A parking disc is a blue cardboard or plastic card with an adjustable time dial. Signs indicating that you must use a parking disc will also indicate the length of time you can park.
Winter Tires
Winter tires makes it easier for the drivers to stay sake on road during snow and icy road conditions in winter. Installation of winter tires can help with better traction, handling and breaking in snow and ice.
Germany’s parliament, passed a new federal law that is much more specific about winter tires. It also doubles the fines for drivers caught without snow tires or who have an accident in winter conditions without snow tires on their vehicle.
From O to O (Von O bis O)
The term “from O to O” is short for “from October to Easter” (von Oktober bis Ostern). It is recommended that one should make the change from regular tires to snow tires in October, and leave them on until Easter. However there are no time limits set to change the tires.
A “winter tire” is specifically an M+S-Reifen, a mud-and-snow tire that has an official M+S (Matsch und Schnee) marking on it. These days most vehicles are outfitted with all-season tires from the factory. All-season tires feature extra slits (called sipes) and a tread designed to give them better gripping ability on snow and ice. They can handle most weather situations, but they don’t deliver the best performance when conditions get really bad. That’s because no one tire can perform perfectly in every situation.
The ADAC recommends going for tires with the “three-peak-mountain” seal, an indication of snow tires that meet the highest standards.
The Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO) requires a minimum snow tire tread depth (Profiltiefe) of 1.6 mm, ADAC ups that to 4.0 mm.
Useful information
Required a valid driving license
Visitors driving in Germany must fulfill the minimum age required to drive according to the category of vehicle intended to drive, even if they are qualified to drive at a lower age in their country of residence.
German vehicles are Left handed & need to drive on Right side or lane. It is recommended that, when driving through the unrestricted speed zones of the Autobahn, you stay in the right lane, as the left lanes are used for passing only.
Use Navigation or Maps for route guidance, as it difficult to get help while driving
Passing & overtaking on the right is illegal.
Slow moving vehicles must stay on right, so that fast moving vehicle can pass on left only.
Pay attention on Bus & Taxi lanes, allowed use to only if want make a turn
Seat Belts are compulsory for driver & all passenger in front & back seats, violators will be fined a minimum of €30 EUR, per un-belted passenger.
Use of handheld cellphone is strickly prohibited while driving, voilating & if caught will be fined. Handfree cellphones are permitted, avoid the distractions by use cellular devices unless it is important.
Children below 13 or under 5 feet tall, must be seated in the back.
Maintain the speed limits in cities & towns as posted, specially 30 Zone areas , School roads & pedestrian crossings
Pay close attention to pedestrians and yield right of way. They always have the right-of-way in zebra-marked crosswalks, but often they'll dart-out between cars and other locations. In residential areas, be on the lookout for children playing near streets. You're required by law to pass by them at the slowest speed possible. The same holds true for a handicapped or elderly person on the street.
In all marked & unmarked intersection, yield the right of way to traffic approaching from the right. (Recht vor Links – Right before left)
Buses & School Buses have priority to leave the stop after left signaling.