Driving tips for germany?

Question

Driving tips for germany?

Answer 1

the best tip is to read up on the different meaning for sings, as some can mean that traffic has the right of way, even if you think you have it.

there are lots of sings that look similar with different meanings.

Answer 2

If you're from the US, see the link below

Answer 3

You have a bunch of good answers already I will just add:

On Autobahns always remeber to pass on the left lane and try to saty in the right. Always make sure the left lane is clear when passing. Some cars on the left lane are doing 300kph and can be up on you in no time. Be sure you can get in the lane without someone pushing your rear bumper up to your headlights.

Road Signs!!!!!!!

Learn the road Signs. If you are from the EU the signs are about the same just us Americans have problems.

Germanys are very regulated people and the one place the just go nuts is driving. If they have the right a way they will use it. If you get lost or miss an exit do not turn around or back up on the Autobahn Go to the next exit and find out how to get to where you are wanting to go.

Buy a navi if you can afford it.

Stay calm, relax, don't get nervous.

All teh best enjoy your trip.

Answer 4

Read up on rules and regulations. Learn the different signs.

Other tips include, stay out of the fast lane. Do not pass on the right. Do not make a right turn on a red light unless it is indicated so.

Careful at red lights, most of them have cameras and if I remember correctly they have cameras for speed offenders as well.

Enjoy your trip.

Answer 5

no matter how good a driver you think you are in Germany there is a stupid moron that is better than you driving a big expensive toy that has lights that he can flash at you and he believes that if he keeps driving at twice your speed you will move out of his way so he can get to work early for a smoke ..oh yeah!!! there are three more morons right behind him that are better drivers still and all flashing each other..there is no better sight than to see a large lorry LKV pull out and take five minutes to pass the lorry in front ..you should see the pissed off look on those idiots faces and the one on mine smiling at them he he.......they sure know how to mangle their cars up and kill each other when they find out that they are not quite so clever as they thought.....Germany and the German people are generally very nice and polite

Answer 6

People tend to go really fast even on small streets. Where I am there are a lot of one lane roads.

Answer 7

Know the rules to a tee, because I guarantee that the Germans will. Getting a license in Germany is comparatively tough and their trainers really drill the students. The result is a highly capable driving population and the Germans are very proud when they score high on their driving tests. Consult ADAC for up to date rules and regs. Avoid the Autobahn until you are comfortable driving everywhere else. It can be quite unsettling at first. Finally, if you're an American or Canadian, know how to drive a manual shift car!

Answer 8

Assuming you are British:

Get headlight adaptors.

Autobahns:

Keep a lookout in your mirror for fast cars.

Move back to the inside lane as soon as you've overtaken.

Do not run out of petrol - illegal to do so.

Check tyres all good before attempting to test car's top speed!

Beware exits (ausfahrt) - the off ramp will probably have a very tight bend.

Yes you can overtake the police car at 100mph

Not all are derestricted and observe limits in road works.

Country roads:

Limit 100kph (62 mph).

Beware wild animals in wooded areas.

Do not cross unbroken central white line

Beware cyclists - they are immortal (they think)

Let motorcycles get past, they will stick their right leg out in appreciation.

Towns:

50 kph

Stop signs really mean stop

DO NOT exceed 30 kph in 30 area or you will be buried alive or something - they are really hot on this.

When turning left or right, a cyclist crossing the road you are turning into has priority (so have pedestrians)

Priority from the right at unmarked junctions

Roundabouts - fairly new in Germany, indicate only at exit - riotously chaotic when busy.

ALWAYS give way to trams.

Do not overtake a school bus when it is vomiting out it's charges.

Learn to park at the side of the road at a point where you cause the maximum obstruction.

Hope this helps.  It's actually much easier to get around than UK cos the roads, cars and attitudes are better.

Answer 9

There have been some good tips here so far in the previous answers, but some of them are just screwy.  Don't be afraid of the autobahn; there's nothing to be afraid OF.  If you're an American and spend a few years driving on the German autobahns, then come home and drive on American freeways... the difference is like that between a 5-star hotel and Billy-Bob's Roadside Motel.  Germans are FAR better drivers than Americans.  They have to go through mandatory drivers' training, which is expensive... as is insurance, cars themselves, and fuel (which is easily two to three times more expensive than in the U.S.)  Sufficed to say, Germans take their driving skills more seriously because they have had to go through a lot, and shell out a lot of money, to get to that point.  That said, they're also more courteous and predictable than Americans.  They actually use the left lane for PASSING, unlike in the U.S.--even though that's what the left lane is supposed to be for in the U.S., too.  Germans almost never use their horns.  If you're plunking along in the left lane when you shouldn't be and a German is flying along behind you, he won't usually pass you on the right--that's illegal, and they only do that when they're either in a big hurry or pissed off because you refuse to merge right like you ought to.  They'll tail you and flash their lights at you, or turn on their left turn signal, to make you wake up and realize that they want to pass you and you need to move.  Americans back home, on the other hand, spread out to all lanes and all go the same speed, making it absolutely impossible to pass anyone without being forced to play the weaving game; which is arguably far more dangerous than simply passing on the left like you're supposed to be able to do in the first place.  Also, Americans tend to equate speed with recklessness.  This isn't true, and Germans know this.  You can be a slow driver and be reckless, particularly if you're a slow driver who refuses to get out of the left lane where slow drivers don't belong in the first place.  It's a popular myth that there are no speed limits on the autobahn... there are places where that's true, but there are many places where there are limits imposed, especially near cities or places where there tends to be heavier traffic, or in construction areas.  Be sure to SLOW DOWN by the time you enter an off-ramp (ausfahrt); unlike in the states, in Germany off-ramps are almost always very abrupt and have tight, hairpin turns.  Many novice Americans have accidents on those off-ramps.  Never run out of fuel on the autobahn; the polizei will fine you for it, and frankly there's no excuse to run out of fuel on the autobahn, as there is always another tankstelle (autobahn gas station) every few miles, practically.  The same can be said for the frequency of the rest stops--they're everywhere.  For a driver, the autobahns in Germany are a dream come true... they're one of the biggest things I miss about living in Germany.  Give me a German driver over an American driver any day--I'd feel a lot safer, at any rate.

Answer 10

Biggest tip I can think of is to learn the traffic signs! They have a sign for EVERY thing! LOL.  Here's a web site that will tell you what they are:  http://german.about.com/library/blauto_t...  

Other than that driving there is pretty good/ordinary.  I loved the autobahn it wasn't scary for me at all, the only time it get's nerve racking including "Stau's" (traffic jams) is in and around the bigger cities.  Just remember that the far left lane is for passing only!  If you drive slow in that lane you'll get run over, and will get some pretty mean looks.  It's great though because all usually observe that rule, I wish they did in the States!  Also, every exit says Ausfahrt...meaning exit.  The city or village name sign will be before the ausfahrt sign.  Which could be a bit confusing when you first get there.  Good luck and have fun!  Oh...and if you can, get a GPS unit.  They are lifesavers!!  We would have always been lost without ours!

Answer 11

yes, read up on their rules befor you go. Dont go on the autobahn your first couple of days, can be scary. It is very congested over there, so be aware of all your surroundings.

You better practice parallel parking!!!! Use your turn signal.

As soon as you have finished passing, move back to the right. This is very important!!! it could get you killed if you dont do it.

Answer 12

I never had any tips when I went to germany and they drive on the right and not the left. I found it so easy to ajust from right to left but i dad drove on the wrong side of the road a few times. But im sure they will hoot if that happens.

Answer 13

you drive your car with min 140km/hour in motorway....