Americans First Time Driving on the Autobahn in Germany

It's our first time driving in Germany and today we are driving on the German Autobahn - the famed highway system known for having no speed limit! Join us as we experience high speeds (the fastest we've ever driven anywhere!) as we navigate this iconic roadway for the very first time. The Autobahn stretches across Germany, connecting major cities and regions, and is known for its efficiency. What sets it apart from driving experiences in the US or UK is its unrestricted speed sections and strict driving etiquette (does driving etiquette even exist in the US? lol). While speed limits exist in some stretches, the Autobahn's unrestricted zones allow you to drive very very fast legally. Join us as we experience driving on the German Autobahn for the first time, comparing and contrasting it with driving norms in the US and UK.

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This video was filmed in September & October 2023.

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#Autobahn #Germany #RoadTrip

[abram]

Okay, the fact that americans can just rent a car and drive here in europe without any tests before getting the keys has just unlocked a new fear.

[mausilugner]

choosing a fiat 500 for the Autobahn would not have been the first thing that came to my mind 😂

[karinwenzel]

Re: Traffic lights above you on a second lane. Just bend your head slightly and look to the right, there's your main traffic light. The traffic lights above are always additional lights so that you can see them from a distance.

[nielsdebakker]

A red ring around a speedlimit sign is always a maximum.

[AndrewLumsden]

Only ever drive as fast as you are comfortable with. Never feel that you should have to "keep up with the traffic" It's your funeral!!

[meckerhesseausfrankfurt]

Regarding car maintenance: Cold starts are what ages your engine and city driving puts a higher strain on your brakes than driving at a constant, albeit high velocity. So maintenance costs aren't really much higher. There are some risk factors (e.g. a tiny pebble hitting your windshield at 130 mph will most likely crack the glass, which would not happen at half the speed), also the paint will suffer more if you drive fast. But overall it's not a big difference.
Regarding "fill up first, pay later" at petrol stations. The reasons are twofold. Petrol stations in Europe make most of their money selling you a candy bar or a bottle of Pepsi. So they want you to enter the "shop" section of the gas station. Secondly, everyone is videotaped and if you don't pay they have your license plate. The police will then show up at your door later. Same with speeding: Most of the times you will not be pulled over. Instead, you will either get a huge fine in the mail or are being summoned to court.

[ileana]

Well, I´ve been quite hopeful when I heared there was "some research" done before driving on the Autobahn.
But not knowing the recommended speed (starting within the city and then as well on the Autobahn) and what the speed signs look like combined with wanting to drive at least 110mph (almost 180km/h) made me fear for everybody invovled.
One can say, at least you didn´t rent an Audi R8 "to have some fun".
But overall: Good job! Just always stay aware of the traffic in front, behind and next to you and you will be fine. Oh, and catch up on general rules like right-before-left and max speeds. I drive for decades from Germany to Croatia and still have a post it for the first day with the speed limits in cities and on the highways per country I travel through attached on my dashboard.

[thorstenanderer]

German here. Your whole seat is way to close to the steering wheel. If both arms are nearly streched and can grab the steering wheel, while your shoulders are still have contact to the back of the seat, you are fine. Try it, it's way more relaxing.

[FHB]

I really advise to familiarize yourself with all the rules and signs before you start driving in Germany. We Germans really tend to enforce rules when they favor us 😀

[PYROWORKSTV]

On the Autobahn the recommended speed limit is 130kmh.

But you can go as fast as traffic allows if there's no speed limit.

[stevieinselby]

A minimum speed limit is shown in white on a blue background, and this is extremely rare.
A number in a red circle is always a maximum speed limit, whether it's a fixed sign or a variable limit.
Variable speed limits when used well can keep traffic moving freely, sometimes you might think they are pointless because the traffic is flowing comfortably and it doesn't feel congested but that probably means that they have done their job by stopping the traffic from bunching up.

[PoisonelleMisty]

Driving on the Autobahn for the first time as an American can be a thrilling and somewhat nerve-wracking experience. The Autobahn is renowned for its high speeds and lack of speed limits in some sections, which can be quite a shock for those used to driving on strictly regulated roads back home.

One of the first things that Americans notice when driving on the Autobahn is the fast-moving traffic. Cars zip past at speeds well above what they are used to, and it can take some time to get used to navigating through such high-speed flows of traffic.

Another major difference is the concept of the "fast lane" on the Autobahn. In Germany, the left lane is reserved for passing only, and drivers are expected to move back to the right once they have completed their pass. This can be a bit of an adjustment for American drivers, who are used to cruising in the left lane for long distances.

Additionally, the Autobahn is known for its strict adherence to driving etiquette and rules. Tailgating and aggressive driving are frowned upon, and drivers are expected to maintain a safe distance between cars and signal their intentions well in advance.

Despite these differences, many Americans find driving on the Autobahn to be a thrilling experience. The smooth, well-maintained roads and lack of congestion make for a much more enjoyable driving experience than what they may be used to back home.

Overall, driving on the Autobahn for the first time as an American can be a memorable and exciting experience, as long as drivers remember to stay alert, follow the rules of the road, and respect the other drivers around them.

[Jochen.Lutz-Germany]

In town there is a speed limit of 50 km/h. Sometimes there are signs on bigger streets, that allow to drive f.e.
70 km/h.

[alansmithee]

Hello Cara and Jeremy. I saw JPS go to Germany on YouTube and started watching videos by Feli as YouTube recommended them, after I saw the reactions to a couple.
It is years since I was there, but sometimes watch football ⚽️ in German, which I can remember a bit from school, despite being from Yorkshire.
I got asked if I was "Holländer" when there, as everyone thinks that English speakers do not speak any other languages.
My girlfriend's Austrian relatives say I speak German like a German, but I reckon there is an Austrian joke in there somewhere.
German cars are built for that speed. They advertise Audi in UK with the phrase "Vorsprung durch Technik".
Nürburgring next?
Funny, Yorkshire lass Catherine Warr just did a video featuring old German speed machines winning Grand Prix.

[Djekkie-gjjz]

There are no permanent speed limits on 66 percent of the German motorway network. However, a study by the German economic institute IW shows that few Germans drive faster than 130 km/h. In many sections where there are actually no speed limits, there are still speed limits. Particularly on sections of road where work is taking place, and there are many of those in Germany.

[mikethespike]

In Germany only 50 allowed within urban areas. These are marked at the town, village and city limits by yellow square signs on the right side of the road with the name of the town, village or city on them. You also have to watch out for marked 30 zones and play streets where you're only allowed to crawl. Basically, if there are buildings along the road and street lights, the limit will most probably be 50 or lower.
The recommended speed limit for the Autobahn, if no other speed limit is give, is 130, but you are allowed to drive faster if you want to. Only in theory are you allowed to drive as fast as your car manages. You will most certainly be pulled over if you do 300 or over and at the very least given a good ticking off for dangerous driving.

[jfrancobelge]

I live in Eastern Belgium, a 20-30 minute drive to the German border. It's always an experience to drive on our neighbors' Autobahnen at an already high speed of 150 kmh (93-94 mph), and see faster cars pass you as if you were driving at the pace of a snail. The max legal speed limit in Belgium is 120 kmh (75 mph).

[Tiax]

Easiest way to convert between MPH and KPH, 100 MPH is around 160 KPH -> 50 MPH is 80.

From that you can get close to whatever reading you might need.

[strangelyjamesly]

how can you drive safely without knowing what the speed limits and conversions are? 50km/h is 30 mph, 80 is 50, 120 is 70 and 160Kmh is 100 mph.

[eberhardh]

from my pov, as a first time driver on the Autobahn you are too much focussing on producing this video. Not only in Germany driving requires your full attention, no phone, no pet on your lap, and no vid production