Driving in Germany is on the right side of the road. On Autobahns, one must take the right lane and overtake from the left. 

• Speed Limit

  There is a speed limit of 50 km/h in rural areas and 100 km/h in built-up areas. Recommended maximum speed on motorways is 130 km/h.

• Traffic Signs

  German traffic signs can be classified into 4 types: regulatory, warning, information and direction signs. 

  
  

  Warning Signs 

  Warning signs are in red triangle shape with a few exceptions. 

  Bumpy Road

  Level Crossing

  Pedestrians

  Children Crossing

  Wild Animals Crossing

  
  

  Regulatory Signs

  German regulatory signs mostly feature circular shape with a red border, with some exceptions. 

  Give Way

  Stop and Give Way

  No U-Turn

  No Overtaking

  No Passenger Car

  
  

  Information Signs 

  Information signs normally feature a square shape as well as blue background, with some other exceptions. 

  First Aid or Hospital

  Car Park, Parking Garage

  Toll Road

  Stop-Customs

  
  

  Direction Signs 

  German direction signs mostly feature a blue or yellow background and markings with location signs, route number information and distance. 

  Motorway Junction Sign to Service Area

  Signpost at Junction Leading Onto a Minor Road

  Diversion Sign

  End of Diversion

  Take a further step to read more useful information regarding Germany traffic signs here.

• Seatbelt Laws

  The driver and all passengers are required by law to wear seatbelts if the car is underway. Failing to do so will incur an on-the-spot fine of €30.

• Booster Seat Laws

  Children over 150cm tall can sit in the front of the car. Younger ones will require appropriate restraints in the rear. Note that a baby must be seated in a baby seat facing backwards in the front passenger seat, and the front airbag must be disabled. If the child seat is not set properly, a fine of €60 will be imposed.

• Parking

  · Permitted Parking

  
  

  Drivers are allowed to park when a “Parkschein” can be found, and can pay the related parking fee to a parking machine. Insert coins to pay for the amount of time you wish to keep your parking spot. then place your ticket on the car’s dashboard in plain sight.

  (Image from hiveminer.com)

  
  

  · Permitted Parking

  
  

  In Germany, you are considered "parked" if you leave your vehicle or if you stop/stand for longer than 3 minutes, unless you are actively boarding or discharging passengers or loading/unloading cargo. 

  
  

  You may not park in the following spots: 

  
  

  - Within 5 metres on either side of an intersection

  
  

  - In front of driveway entrances or exits, or on the opposite side of the street

  
  

  - If the roadway is too narrow to allow vehicles to enter or exit the driveway

  
  

  - If parking will obstruct the use of marked parking places

  
  

  - Within 15 metres on either side of a bus or streetcar stop marked with a green H-sign with yellow background

  

  
  

  - Within 50 metres on either side of a white X-sign with red poles when outside of urban areas or within 5 metres when inside an urban area

  

  
  

  - On a priority road outside of urban areas

  
  

  - In front of a curb-cut or wheelchair ramp

  
  

  - Adjacent to a traffic island or median

  
  

  - On the street side of another parked vehicle ("double parked")

  
  

  - On a marked bike lane - Anywhere there is a “No Parking” sign on the same side of the street

  

  
  

  Parking in forbidden areas will result in a parking fine that generally ranges from €5 to €25.

• Fuel Prices

  The average value for Germany gasoline price is €1.39 in January 2018 while diesel is €1.16.

• Toll

  Unlike trucks, passenger car can drive the Autobahn without toll fee. 

  
  

  However, cross a border into neighbouring countries such as Austria, Switzerland and Czech Republic will require purchasing a vignette that should be stuck on the car’s windshield. Make sure you let the car hire company know if you are planning to drive your vehicle outside Germany, and double-check at the counter whether the rented vehicle features the relevant vignette.

• DUI Laws

  Drivers with more than 2 years' experience are charged with a fine if found driving with 0.05% BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) or with 0.03% in conjunction with any other traffic offences or accidents.

• Traffic Fines

  There are traffic signs indicating a speed limit at many street sections. Drivers who are speeding in Germany may be caught by a speed trap and the fine ranges from €15 to €680 in town and €10 to €600 outside towns.

  （Image from ksta.de)

  
  

  Travellers renting a car in Germany may receive billing details from their credit cards indicating that a certain amount has been debited, mainly because they have been found guilty of speed driving or prohibited parking. You can always contact QEEQ' 24/7 customer service team for clarifications on such cases.

Foreigners on short-term visit may rent a car and drive with a valid foreign driving licence for up to 6 months in Germany. All licences issued by the European Union are accepted. To drive in Germany, the driver must present a valid national driving licence that has been held for at least 1 or 2 years (according to different car hire companies). 

You must be at least 18 years old to hire a car in Germany, and age may vary by car category.