WATCH THIS Before Driving in GERMANY! | 5 Tips for Americans Driving in Germany | How to Drive in DE

Are you getting ready to come to Germany, or maybe just interested in what it's like? Driving in a foreign country can feel overwhelming, but we tackle 5 of the most challenging differences for Americans. We cover topics about the Autobahn, red lights, equipment, and car sizes (is YOUR car too big???).

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[Frohds]

You forgot:
-Child seats are mandatory for children up to 12 years of age, unless they are 1.50 m tall.
-In cities you have to pay attention to cycle lanes and sometimes also tram tracks.
-When parking you often need a blue parking disc. Be sure to check in advance if there is one in the car. Also small change 50ct, 1 €, 2 € - for the parking meters and shopping carts.
-You can only turn right at red where there is a green arrow on the traffic light.
-In Spielstraßen/play streets you are only allowed to drive at walking speed, max. 7km/h.
-Before driving onto a freeway, you should check the fuel level. Ideally, it is at least half full. If you drive empty on the freeway, it gets expensive.
-If you break down on the Autobahn but have no cell phone reception, no problem. You can see an arrow on the black and white delineator post on the right-hand side of the road. It indicates the direction in which you have to walk to get to an emergency telephone. These are orange stands that remind you a bit of a fire hydrant.
-If you're angry, you shouldn't give anyone the f...off sign or make other insulting gestures from your own car. In Germany, freedom of expression ends when it reduces the dignity of another person. And that's what happens when you show a stranger the bird or flipped finger.
- German cops are generally friendly and rarely shoot. But you should treat them politely and, if you speak German with them, you shouldn't use the informal 'du', you must use the formal "Sie" and "Herr/Frau XY". Using the informal form would be an insult. They turn a blind eye to people who can only speak German poorly - but they don't have to.
-I strongly recommend only speaking English to police officers. None of the police officers can say they don't speak English. Knowledge of English is mandatory.
But that doesn't mean they're good at it. And especially when it comes to tickets, it can be it is a bit too tedious for them and they leave it with a warning.
- There is a right-hand drive requirement on motorways.
You must always drive in the right lane when it is free and there is little traffic.
- You should also inform yourself about Rettungsgasse/emergency lanes beforehand. There are videos about it.
- When confronted with an accident: 911 also works in Germany. However, it is better to call 110 for the police or 112 for the emergency services/ambulance/fire brigade. If you get into an accident, always call the ambulance, never transport anyone to the hospital yourself. Health insurance or accident insurance pays for the ambulance.
-To the first aid box. In Germany there is an obligation to provide assistance at the scene of the accident. Anyone who is one of the first to pass the scene of an accident must provide assistance. Possibly also by applying bandages, chest compression and ventilating. Therefore acquire relevant knowledge beforehand.
By the way, if something goes wrong, you don't have to expect to be sued. If you don't help, you will be sued and get jailed.
-Overall, forget the notion that you can speed anywhere on German autobahns. Half of Europe rolls through Germany, the motorways are very busy, have deep ruts and are often in poor condition. Even if there is no speed limit, you are expected to drive at a speed appropriate to the circumstances.
- It makes sense for US citizens and Canadians to find out about the traffic signs beforehand, as they are the internationally standardized signs in Germany. Only USA and Canada have others.

Some time ago I had visitors from overseas who had also informed themselves with such videos. Therefore: No, nobody has to wear the high-visibility vest while driving.
Only when you have an accident and leave your car you have to wear one and that is for all passengers who leave the car. Two adults, two children, four safety vests.
You can get them at any gas station.

And an absolute no to the rumor that you have to cover the license plate number while driving. That was actually the misconception my guests had, that they had to mask off the license plate. The license plates must be covered in the videos for data protection reasons. Not just your own, but everyone else's too. But you don't have to stick anything on it in real. On the contrary.

[daves.]

There seems to be a small error with your "right on red"-exceptions. Turning right at a red light is only allowed if there is a green arrow sign next to the red light and after you have come to a complete stop. Normal road signs as yield, stop or right of way have no meaning as long as the traffic light is working.

[tobih.]

Autobahn:If the right lane is clear, you have to use it and leave the middle lane (Rechtsfahrgebot). Also, even on stretches with no speed limit there is the recommended speed of 130km/h (Richtgeschwindigkeit). Above this recommended speed you will get part or even full liability in case of an accident, until you can prove in court that the actual speed had no influence on the accident (good luck with that). Both concepts seems to be forgotten even by many Germans.

[RobTheWatcher]

Even when there's no speed limit you can't go as fast you want, only as fast as you can.

[fixdelacroix-france]

In Germany you can drive at 200 mph if you want in 60 pr cent of the highways.Germans drivers are very responsible on the road, very careful, discipline and very fair play, autobahns are not racing place, sure it is the reason why it is a possibility to drive fast in Germany.Be careful you absolutely need winter tires between OCT and APR.When you have a traffic jam on highways you have to make a security corridor for Emergency services.Very good video, thanks a lot for all your advices

[jensschroder]

Remember, if you drive faster than 130 km and an accident occurs, you will be held partly to blame even if you didn't make a mistake.
So you're driving 200 km and a sleepyhead suddenly pulls with 80 km into your lane, then part of the blame falls on you because you were very fast.
I always say that I have to reckon with the stupidity of others, but sometimes I count myself among them.

[susanauer]

Well done! I wish I'd known that when I was there. My daughter lives in Wiesbaden and is terrified to drive on the autobahn. I'm going to send her this video.

[madmikesch]

#4 is only on Autobahn or similar roads. In towns you have free choice of the lane and you can go faster on the right lane or overtake.

[TMTMmmmy]

Also important: right for left on crossroads without traffic signs or light.

[felixklusener]

Two minor corrections:
- It is not allowed to pass other vehicles on the right if you are using an exit lane. It is only legal on acceleration lanes to enter the Autobahn and when the Autobahn splits in two directions. (§ 7a StVO)
- There is no law that requires you to use the safety vest that you need to have with you in the vehicle. The law only requires you to bring it with you and show it to police if they ask for it. Failing to wear it in case of an accident or vehicle breakdown is not a violation of any law. But it is of course not the smartest thing to leave it inside the vehicle and stumble across the Autobahn without it, especially at night. (§ 53a (2) Nr. 3 StVO)

[MrESSE]

gas are expensive but electricity are more expensive at rechargers and most of peoples live in cities at apartments so they cannot throw 200meter or more cabels to recharge all day

[Pobsta-dehb]

No right before left applies in parking lots, not in the video but important because even German people believe that there is lol

[travelingwithmikeandpam]

I got nailed by those cameras many times!!!!

[jasminmaria]

Hello from Brazil for the beautiful Couple. Super like for your video. Success for your channel. ☕🇧🇷🌷

[MrESSE]

lot of wrong informations just like with EVs where they sayed that gas are expensive but they "forget" to tell that electricity are more expensive at chargers then gas and 80+% of peoples in Germany lives in cities in apartments so they cannot recharge at home

[LiveLongNaturee]

Gorgeous, very nice video👍💕💕💕 a quality channel. I'm looking forward to new videos. God bless you and your family🙏🙏. I wish you healthy days. Let's stay connected. Greetings from Turkey and love 🇹🇷🌹🌹🌹🛎👉

[juricarmichael]

Mirror!! Germans check what's coming quite often.

[brandongary]

There are too many incorrect statements here. As someone who lives there part time, you are setting Americans up for failure.

1) You are allowed 10% margin over the speed limit.

2) There are lots of larger German cars, mostly BMW, mercs etc. If you buy a smart car definitely stay in the right lane.

3) Fast is safe in Germany, if the speed is unlimited you can drive as fast as you want, 130kph is your recommendation not the German one. That's fair though because you're used to American speed limits.

[mc_sim]

rule #0. forget about your entitlement. nobody owes you anything here.

[peterfromgw]

Mate, there was at least one item this video missed. While you may have a vaild US (or in my case, a valid Australian) driving licence, make sure you also have an International Driving Licence as it will also have the relevant authorising information written in German. This will minimise embarassment if pulled over by the Politzei and they don’t read English (and recognise your US driving licence). Also, Germany is not the only country where you cannot turn right (in left hand drive counrties) or left (in right hand drive countries like the UK and Australia). It would also be a good idea to have some basic German if you decide to drive there. Not all traffic signs have an English translation. And if you are an American, familiarise yourself with the metric system. Tschüss. Grüße aus Australien.