Follow traffic laws while driving around in Europe this summer.
Germany is preparing for a busy summer season this year. It will host the UEFA European Championship beginning June 14, which is expected to bring a massive influx of tourists from around the world. And for those planning on road-tripping, experts in the U.K. are reminding drivers that German police will issue on-the-spot fines of as much as £1,300 ($1,647) for traffic rules violations.
So before you start your trek, it’s imperative to brush up on local traffic laws. Here’s your lowdown.
Driving Laws in Germany
The U.S. Embassy in Germany states that with a valid U.S. license, you can drive in Germany for up to six months without a German license. The U.S. State Department also warns: “Your vehicle registration, insurance policy, a first-aid kit, a reflective vest, and a reflective triangle must be in your vehicle at all times. In snowy or icy conditions, your vehicle must have snow tires or all-season tires (indicated by M+S marking) or you will be subject to a fine.”
Germany is known for its strict traffic regulations. It allows on-the-spot driving fines, so stay on the good side of the law or you may have to cough up a pretty penny for causing trouble.
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And though it may feel like a breeze cruising down the Autobahn at eye-popping speeds, you still need to be on guard to ensure you’re following the posted limit and obeying all traffic rules. Despite popular myth, many sections of the Autobahn do in fact have speed limits–and even for those stretches without posted limits, German authorities recommend 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph). The speed limit on urban roads is usually 50 kilometers per hour (31 mph) and on non-urban roads, you can zip along at 100 kmph (62 mph).
Remember this rule: you can only overtake from the left and slow traffic stays on the right.
Related: Myths of the Autobahn: What’s Really Going on With Germany’s Famous Highway?
Driving over the limit by even one kmph (half a mile) can set drivers back €20 ($21) in a non-urban area or €30 ($32) in an urban area. If you go more than 70 kilometers per hour (43.5 mph) over the legal limit, you’ll be slapped with a fine of €600-€680 ($652-$739) and a driving ban of three months. Unauthorized parking also leads to fines from €35 ($38) upwards.
Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory in the front and the back seats. Failing to do so will lead to a fine of €30 ($32).
If you’re planning on drinking and driving–which we absolutely do not recommend–you’ll be breaking the law if your blood alcohol level is at or above 0.5 mg per millimeter of blood, and will result in a minimum €500 fine for a first offense.
The European Union is on a mission to reduce road accidents and encourage responsible driving. The commission is working to treat violations more seriously and disqualify licenses across the bloc for severe traffic offenses. Even now, if an E.U. resident breaks a traffic law in another bloc country, the violation follows them home.
It’s recommended to pay your fines as soon as you’re notified of them because they may increase if you wait. Your car rental company will notify you of any penalties. If you ignore them, you may have problems renting a car again, not just in the destination but other EU countries as well.
Renting a car can give you freedom of movement on your travels, but if you’re not confident about it, European countries have an extensive public transportation system.
Related: What Happens if You Don’t Pay Your Speeding Ticket in Another Country?
What you fail to mention and this is probably the biggest difference between the US and Europe: traffic cameras and radars traps everywhere. Some traps are fakes, some are not. Very difficult to differentiate. This goes not just for Germany. The Netherlands will enforce payment of an unpaid traffic ticket upon re-entry. Immigration and traffic enforcement are one and the same. Beware!
You really need to obey traffic laws in Germany, you have to be mindful of the Autobahn speed limits and obey them when you need to slow down. German cops don't take any back talk and you will go to jail if you try to argue with them! There really are a lot of traffic signal and radar traps, I thought I got nailed by one for a traffic light but the car rental company when I turned my car in didn't tell me I got fined so it either malfunctioned or was for another vehicle. Parking, too, there is almost no free parking in Germany! Even in small towns! if you dont pay at the kiosk right away, your car will get booted and you will have to pay a hefty fine for not paying or overstaying the limit! They DO check very frequently! You won't get away with not paying for parking!