DRIVING IN GERMANY

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No speed limit! That's what your thinking right? This is one of many misconceptions I hope to make more clear on this page.

Speed limit on the Autobahn Although it is true that on some parts of the Autobahn there is no speed limit, there is a recommended speed limit of 130 KPH that you should obey. Failure to do so can cost you a fine or even suspension of your license.		Driving too slow on the Autobahn The minimum speed authorized on the Autobahn is 60 KPH. Driving slow on the Autobahn makes you an obstacle and can cost the life of yourself and others. You can also receive a fine.

Speed limit on the Autobahn

Although it is true that on some parts of the Autobahn there is no speed limit, there is a recommended speed limit of 130 KPH that you should obey. Failure to do so can cost you a fine or even suspension of your license.

Driving too slow on the Autobahn

The minimum speed authorized on the Autobahn is 60 KPH. Driving slow on the Autobahn makes you an obstacle and can cost the life of yourself and others. You can also receive a fine.

Aiding the Injured Law

- Did you know that if you are the first on the scene of an accident where someone is injured you are required by German law to stop and help? If you were to drive on without stopping you could get your license suspended, fined and possibly do jail time. They do not expect you to be a doctor but they do expect you to render aid to the best of your ability without putting yourself in danger. A simple call to the police (110) at the minimum will help the victim(s). See Emergencies in Germany for Emergency contact numbers while in Germany.

Right on Red

- Depending on the Country in which you live, the law may authorize you to turn right on a red light if the lane is clear. In Germany turning right on red will get you a license suspension of up to a month.

Spinning your tires

- Just like most Countries, German law will fine you up to 20 EUR. for showing the person next to you that you have a powerful car or a loose clutch.

Drinking and Driving on your Bicycle

- Yes, it really says 'drinking and driving on your bicycle'. Since the German law does not differentiate between a motor vehicle and a bicycle you can be charged with a DUI if caught by the police operating a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol.

	Speeding In the U.S. you worry about passing a police car when you are speeding. In Germany you do not have to worry about that as much as you do getting your picture taken. These cameras are placed in various spots throughout Germany and are set to 'flash' if you are exceeding the set speed limit for that particular road. If you have been flashed the person who is registered to the car you are driving will receive a ticket in the mail for the violation. If you are driving a rental car the agency in which you rented the car will receive this ticket and of course it will be sent to you. You can request the picture from the police and they will send you the picture of you adjusting your radio or doing whatever you do at the time of the incident. Be particularly careful when entering small cities. Cameras like the one in the picture are permanent and can usually be seen at a distance but the polizei (police) are known to place smaller, non permanent, cameras in random spots where they cannot be spotted. These cameras are also placed in some intersections set to flash if you run a red light.

Speeding

In the U.S. you worry about passing a police car when you are speeding. In Germany you do not have to worry about that as much as you do getting your picture taken. These cameras are placed in various spots throughout Germany and are set to 'flash' if you are exceeding the set speed limit for that particular road. If you have been flashed the person who is registered to the car you are driving will receive a ticket in the mail for the violation. If you are driving a rental car the agency in which you rented the car will receive this ticket and of course it will be sent to you. You can request the picture from the police and they will send you the picture of you adjusting your radio or doing whatever you do at the time of the incident. Be particularly careful when entering small cities. Cameras like the one in the picture are permanent and can usually be seen at a distance but the polizei (police) are known to place smaller, non permanent, cameras in random spots where they cannot be spotted. These cameras are also placed in some intersections set to flash if you run a red light.

Parking Tickets

- If you walk up to your car while a police officer is writing you a parking ticket you may want to accept it without attitude. If you are rude and or argue with the officer there is a law called 'Beamtenbeleidigung' that can be invoked which will give you additional fines that can cost you up to 1,000 EUR.

Talking and Driving

- The use of cell phones are the number one form of communication in Germany, even more so than in the U.S. In 2004 the German Government passed a law banning the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle OR a bicycle. Failure to obey this law will cost you 20EUR for the first time offense and 40EUR along with a license suspension on a month for more occurrences.

Gas prices If you think the gas prices are high in the U.S. you will be amazed at the prices for gasoline in Germany. Keep in mind that in the U.S. gas is measured by the gallon. In Germany gas in measured by the Liter so after you see the price make sure you calculate it into gallons (1 Gallon=3.785 Liters). Currently (March 2006) gas prices in Germany are approximately four times more than in the U.S.		Running out of gas on the Autobahn Running out of gas on the Autobahn can cause you a hefty fine and put you at risk of endangering yourself and others. You may also have trouble finding a gas station. Depending on what stretch you are on, you may have several miles to walk until you come across a gas station (of course walking beside the autobahn is very illegal not to mention unsafe)

Gas prices

If you think the gas prices are high in the U.S. you will be amazed at the prices for gasoline in Germany. Keep in mind that in the U.S. gas is measured by the gallon. In Germany gas in measured by the Liter so after you see the price make sure you calculate it into gallons (1 Gallon=3.785 Liters). Currently (March 2006) gas prices in Germany are approximately four times more than in the U.S.

Running out of gas on the Autobahn

Running out of gas on the Autobahn can cause you a hefty fine and put you at risk of endangering yourself and others. You may also have trouble finding a gas station. Depending on what stretch you are on, you may have several miles to walk until you come across a gas station (of course walking beside the autobahn is very illegal not to mention unsafe)

	Emergencies on the Autobahn Driving anywhere is dangerous but on the Autobahn accidents are more often than not, Fatal. It is very important that you know what to do in case you are involved in an accident on the autobahn or if you witness an accident on the autobahn. The pictures to your right and left are of an emergency phone located right next to the autobahn. These emergency phones are common on all autobahns in Germany. Of coarse these phones are free and for emergency only. To the bottom of the phone you will see two buttons; one is a picture of a wrench which you would push for car troubles, the other is a cross which you would push for an ambulance. Printed directly below these buttons are the coordinates ie. autobahn number and exact location of the phone. After pressing the button the operator will ask for this information so the ambulance, polizei or whatever service is needed can get to you quickly. also see Emergencies

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