Car Hire in Germany
A short guide to Driving in Germany and Car Hire in Germany.
Please enjoy your hire car in Germany. It is easy for you to pick up your hire car at a convenient location. These include Baden Baden Airport, Berlin airports (Tempelhof, Tegel and Schoenefeld), Munich Airport, in fact, all major airports throughout Germany.
Are you going on holiday to Germany? To see as much as possible and to get the most out of Germany, the best way of transport is certainly by car. But of course you will have to abide by Germany's law of driving. Below you will find some useful information about driving in Germany.
Documents you need when driving in Germany
To drive a foreign registered car legally in Germany you must have the following documents with you, which are your full driving licence, vehicle registration document and certificate of motor insurance. EU nationals, which are taking their own cars are strongly advised to obtain a Green Card. Without a Green Card, your insurance cover is limited to the minimum legal cover where the Green Card will top this up to the level of cover provided by the car owner's domestic policy. Technically a German translation of the licence is required, but it's not likely you'll be asked for one. You can if necessary buy one from the German ADAC motoring club for around €35. Alternatively you can buy an International Driving Permit from your country's national auto club for a lot less before you go abroad.
Special rules you must follow
When driving in Germany it is compulsory for all vehicles to have a Warning Triangle and a First Aid kit. For all passengers it is compulsory to wear both front and rear seatbelts. The police are able to issue and collect 'on the spot fines' for not obeying these rules.
Minimum age
The minimum age of a driver in Germany is 18 years. Children must be at least 12 years of age to sit in the front seat unless the seat is equipped with an approved car seat.
Parking
Parking in Germany is similar to Britain with car parks and parking meters. A parking disc system operates in major towns where a discs needs to be on display. Disks are available from police, tourist offices and tobacconists. Parking meters can also be found in certain areas. Disabled drivers should be warned that, although Germany is well organised for disabled travellers, Your orange badge as used in the UK will not entitle the disabled motorist to park freely in Germany so please be aware.
A few basic rules
In Germany, they drive on the right hand side and overtake on the left, pay full attention especially at roundabouts. Your driving licence and vehicle documents should be carried at all times. All visitors' cars must display vehicle nationality plates. Always observe speed limit signs, as like England, speed cameras are common. Buses have right of way when leaving bus stops. Use your dipped headlights in poor visibility. In built-up areas, only use your horn for emergencies. Please note that pedestrians should be aware that it is an offence to cross a road when the pedestrian crossing lights are red, even if there is no traffic on the road. On-the-spot fines for offenders are common.
Speed limits
Built-up areas: 50 kph (31 mph)
Major roads outside towns: 100 kph (62 mph)
Motorways recommended: 130 kph (81 mph)
Motorways minimum speed: 60 kph (37 mph)
Visibility < 50 metres: 50 kph (31 mph)
Road
There is a breakdown service that includes a helicopter rescue service, which is operated by the ADAC. There are emergency telephones, which are located along the motorway in the event of a breakdown. When using these telephones, ask expressly for road service assistance, (Strassenwachthilfe). The number to dial for emergency services is 110 and 112 for the fire brigade. Be aware as fines can be imposed for running out of petrol on a motorway.
Bus
The buses serve the villages and small towns, especially those without railway stations. The Post, German Railways or private firms operate the service for the buses, they mostly tend to run between small places, there are also a few long-distance services.
Taxi
All taxis are metered and are available everywhere. Visitors should watch out for waiting-period charges and surcharges.
Urban
In Germany there is a high standard of public transport services, which is available in all towns. All the urban areas have a highly efficient and well-established bus services. In many towns, you can purchase block tickets for several journeys at reduced price and unlimited daily travel tickets are available. In many larger cities, before boarding the suburban train, underground, bus or tram, local transport journey tickets have to be purchased from ticket machines. Passengers without valid tickets will be fined on the spot, although there are often no conductor on trams and underground trains, inspections will often come along so make sure you purchase your ticket.
Travel times
The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Berlin to other major cities and towns in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Road
Hamburg 4.00
Cologne 7.00
Frankfurt 6.30
Munich 7.00
Dresden 2.30
Leipzig 2.00
Erfurt 4.30
Rostock 2.30
Driving in Germany will be a pleasurable experience as long
as you remember you are in their country and abide by their
laws. Please remember it is not a good enough excuse to plead
ignorance, as you are a foreigner, you are the driver and
it's your responsibility to know the law.