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Top Tips for Driving in Germany

Germany is a top destination for Brits who want a driving holiday, with its efficient and smooth roads and beautiful scenery. Germany is also home to several tourist attractions, with an abundance of castles and palaces, such as the Neuschwanstein in Bavaria.

With excellent summer weather, delicious food and refreshing beer, who wouldn’t want to spend some time exploring this fantastic country? But if you’re planning on driving your car or hiring a car in Germany, there are a few things you might want to consider:

• The minimum age at which you can drive in Germany is 18 – the minimum age at which a UK license holder may drive a temporarily imported car and/or motorcycle stays.
• Don’t forget to carry your full driving license (including paper counterpart), your proof of insurance, passport and proof of ownership of the vehicle (V5C certificate) at all times when driving in Germany.
• Third party insurance is compulsory to drive in Germany.
• There aren’t many roundabouts in Germany
• There are often no cats eyes on parts of the motorway – so be prepared.
• Parts of the ‘Autobahn’ (motorway) do not have a speed limit. However, this means that you need to pay attention for stretches where the speed limit comes into place.
• All passengers in the car are required to wear seatbelts at all times. If you don’t, you could be fined 30€ for not wearing one yourself and 30-45€ for transporting a child without a seatbelt.
• Germany has stricter drink-driving laws than the UK – so don’t do it! The laws in Germany only allow 0.25 milligrams of alcohol per litre of blood.
• Drivers can be charged on-the-spot fines of up to 35€ by the police for violation of traffic regulations.

Whilst driving in Germany, you are also required by law to have all of the following items with you at all times: –

• Headlamp beam deflectors. You will either be required to purchase deflector stickers or, depending on the model of your car, you will have to adjust the beam manually.
• A warning triangle
• Safety helmets (for both moped and motorcycle drivers and passengers)
• A first aid kit is also highly recommended

If you want even more detail on driving in Germany, check out this Guide to Driving in Germany from the RAC.