When driving in Germany, is it lawful to make a right turn at a red light?

Question

When driving in Germany, is it lawful to make a right turn at a red light?

Answer 1

In Germany, right turns on red are permitted when a specific sign is present.

This rule was first introduced in 1978 in the German Democratic Republic and was originally supposed to become obsolete together with the East German highway code by the end of 1990, following German reunification.

However, authorities were unable to remove the signs in time, and public opinion caused them to leave the regulation untouched...............

Answer 2

It's not only in east Germany. You can find these signs everywhere in Germany but they're rare.

In general it's definitely not allowed to run a red light. Only when you see this sign next to the red light

http://www.fahrtipps.de/img/200/ampel-gr...

Then it is allowed to carefully turn right but you have to come to a full stop before the crossing first (and each car that wants to turn right while it shows red also) AND you must not constrain any pedestrians or traffic that goes across.

BTW: The sign is called "Grüner Pfeil" (green arrow) and has nothing to do with a green arrow IN the traffic light.

Answer 3

No, but you can pass a school bus while it's loading or unloading.