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Below find information on: Rules & Regulations
Legal driving age
Following the introduction of legislation in early 2009 the legal age for driving was changed from 18 years to 17 years was adopted throughout Germany with Baden Wuerttemburg being the last state to pass it.
At the age of 16 and a half a person may register with a driving school to do a Class B or BE-type driving license. Once the theory test has been passed, the driving test can be taken at the earliest one month following the 17th birthday. Passing this test results in a test certificate (Prüfbescheinigung) as opposed to a regular driving license (Führerschein) being issued. This document is only recognised in Germany new drivers may not use it when driving in other countries. New drivers reaching the age of 18 have a maximum of three months to apply for (and collect) a full driving license. During this three month period the driver may continue to drive with the test certificate and is permitted to drive unaccompanied. However, drivers should still not drive abroad during this three month period since the test certificate will not necessarily be recognised by other countries. Rules for motorbikes
SeatbeltsWearing seatbelts (Sicherheitsgurte) is compulsory in the front seats of cars and, if they are fitted, in the back. There are a few exemptions to this ruling when seatbelts need not be worn:
Seatbelts and child seats
It is illegal to transport children under the age of three in a vehicle which has no fitted seatbelts. Children travelling in a motor vehicle must have a child restraint. If three children are travelling in the rear of a vehicle and there is not enough room for three child restraints, an exception will be made. Drivers failing to ensure that all passengers comply with seatbelt regulations may be fined and points added to their licence. Travelling with dogs
Car washingCars may not be washed in public places (such as at the roadside) unless there is a designated sign (Autowaschstraße or Waschplatz) and some Federal States even have restrictions on which days car washing is permitted.Most garages have car washes (Autowaschanlage), but the vehicle must not be occupied when the carwash is in operation. What to Carry in the CarIt is obligatory to carry certain items in a car at all times and failure to do so may result in a fine if the vehicle is stopped by the police. However, the rules can vary from one Federal State to another. Typically, the following must be carried:
Official Organisations & Government BodiesFor extensive official information on all driving related matters there are a number of sources. The Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs (Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Bau und Stadtenwicklung, BMVBS) provides information on road traffic regulations in Germany as well as information on fines, driving licences and motor vehicle regulations.
The overseeing body for technical requirements and vehicle inspection is the Technische Überwachungs-Verein, TÜV). In the new Federal States (formerly East Germany) this is done by DEKRA, which is identical to the TÜV. Car Tax (Kraftfahrzeugsteuer, Kfz-Steuer)The calculation of car tax depends on the type of vehicle, engine size, emissions, and whether the car has a petrol or diesel engine. The motor vehicle tax must be paid for a year in advance at the local tax office (Finanzamt)
Types of Roads
Autobahn / MotorwaysMotorway police are AutobahnpolizeiTolls: German motorways are toll-free for cars at present. However, it is likely that tolls will be introduced at some point in the future to fall in line with other European countries. Heavy Goods Vehicles ( HGVs) pay a per-Km fee which is collected electronically. Speed limits and recommendations: There is an advisory speed limit of 130 Km/h and 80 Km/h for HGVs, coaches, trucks and vehicles with trailers attached. Certain buses and vehicles with trailers are permitted to travel at 100 Km/h on the Autobahn and will have an official sticker attached indicating this. In roadwork sections the advisory speed limit is often lowered to 60 Km/h. Vehicles with a top speed of less than 60 Km/h (eg. mopeds) are banned on the Autobahn. The advisory speed limit is also often reduced in hazardous weather conditions Heavy traffic: Many sections of the Autobahn have electronic traffic monitoring and warning signs. It is customary for motorists at the rear of a traffic jam to switch on their hazard warning lights to warn oncoming traffic. In stationary traffic on the Autobahn cars in the left lane are required to move as far to the left as possible and cars in the centre or right lanes must move as far to the right in their lane as possible. This is to create a gap for emergency vehicles to pass through During peak times traffic jams (Staus) occur frequently on the Autobahn. Signs along the motorway indicate the name and frequency of the local regional radio station for current traffic reports (in German) called Verkehrsfunk, Verkehrsmeldungen or Verkehrsdienst. In exceptional circumstances traffic is sometimes permitted to use the hard shoulder to ease congestion and a blue sign with four arrows (one in the hard shoulder) will indicate this. Emergencies: Emergency telephones are located every 1.5-3 Km along the hard shoulder and are marked by arrows on white posts in the direction of the next nearest call box. In case of a breakdown or accident, pull over to the hard shoulder and place the warning triangle (Warndreick) 200m away to warn oncoming traffic. Call the breakdown services from the next nearest phone. It is illegal to stop unnecessarily on the Autobahn and this includes running out of fuel which is deemed an avoidable occurrence by the motorway police (Autobahnpolizei). Motorway service: Motorway service areas (Rasthof or Raststätte) are usually every 40-60 Km and have filling stations, restaurants and accommodation facilities.
Main Trunk Roads
Rural and Secondary RoadsSpeed:
Mountain passes: closed in extreme weather conditions. Priorities at crossroadsAt unmarked crossroads priority is given to the vehicle approaching from the right. Failure to give way can is punishable by fines and licence points
Parking in GermanyParking in a prohibited zone is punishable by a fine. Some streets are designated parking areas for residents only (Anwohnerparken or Anliegerfrei). Residents' permits must be applied for at the local town hall.Parking for disabled persons (Behinderte) is usually signposted and requires an official permit. Always park facing the same direction as the traffic on one-way streets Some parking areas require a parking disc (Parkscheibe), available from filling stations. The disc must be visible under the windscreen and show the time of arrival.Some pay car parks (Parkschein) will provide a ticket or plastic coin on entry. This must be inserted into a pay machine (usually located near pedestrian exits to the car park) prior to leaving and payment made. An illegally parked vehicle will be towed and a trip to the local police station will be necessary to recover it. Persistent parking offenders will receive points on their licence.
Drinking & DrivingDrinking and driving is banned in Germany. In line with most of Europe the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5grams of alcohol per litre of blood. For bus and truck drivers the limit is 0.2g/l. For new drivers with less than two years' driving experience there is a zero alcohol limit.
Vehicle BreakdownGermany's national breakdown and recovery service is ADAC:
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