Germany is famous for its high speed motorways, efficient roads and a strong driving culture. Knowing the regulations and reality of driving in Germany is crucial, regardless of whether you’re planning a quick trip, a lengthy stay or your first time living here.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about driving in Germany, from obtaining a licence to what to anticipate on the well-known Autobahn.
Table of Contents
How to Get a Driver’s License in Germany?
A German driving license is also valid in the EU/EEA area (European Union/European Economic Area). It is allowed to drive a car with a valid foreign driver’s license, even if it is not from the EU or EEA, if you already have one from your home country and do not want to relocate to Germany. For this reason, you will often need to submit a translation of your foreign driver’s license into German.
However, a foreign driver’s license is only good for six months if you relocate to Germany. After that, the authorities no longer acknowledge it. Therefore, if you want to keep driving a car in Germany after this time frame, you need to apply for a German driving license.
In Germany, obtaining a license requires being at least 18 years old. It might even be older, depending on the type of car you like to drive.
Getting your license will take 3 to 5 months if you take driving lessons and theory sessions on a regular basis. A lot of driving schools provide 2 week crash courses that consist of 14 theory units (90 minutes each). It will take you 14 weeks if you assume one theory unit every week.
Additionally, each practice drive lasts 90 minutes. It takes 15 weeks if you work 30 hours a week on average and complete one unit. There is also the option for the learner to complete everything more quickly. Numerous driving schools provide accelerated courses that get you ready for the theory and practical exams in as little as 1-2 weeks. Naturally, this is dependent on your prior experience, talent, dedication and leisure time.
Keep in mind that processing your application by the local authorities often takes at least 5 weeks. You will only be able to take your tests if you apply on time. You get 2 weeks to retake an exam if you don’t pass it.
You need to take following steps to obtain a German driving license:
Take a First Aid Course
You must provide documentation of your first aid training in order to apply for a driving licence (Antrag auf Erteilung einer Fahrerlaubnis) from your local government.
Eye Test and a Biometric Passport Photo
These are prerequisites for obtaining a driving licence. Have an ophthalmologist or optometrist examine your eyes to accomplish this. For instance, you can get the biometric passport photo shot at a nearby photo studio.
Register with a Driving School
Anyone interested in driving instruction or obtaining a German driving licence must do so through an approved driving school. For a fee, the driving school will give you theory and practical classes, as well as a car to practice driving with the instructor. It should be noted that driving lessons in Germany will often be in a vehicle with a manual transmission. When you register, bring the following documents with you:
- Passport or identity card
- Biometric photo
- Proof of an eye test
- A first aid course certificate
Theoretical Test
The driving school schedules theory classes at the start of the instruction. 12 double lessons of fundamental content and two double lessons of extra material make up the 14 90-minute lessons required for Class B, the traditional passenger car driving license. The theoretical test contains 30 multiple choice questions (MCQs). There can be multiple correct answers. However, if you get more than 10 minus points, you have not passed the exam. The theoretical exam is conducted in multiple languages like English, French, Greek, Italian, Polish, etc.
Pro Tip: You will need less time to study at home for the theoretical test if you perform well in the course. The theory portion of a fast track course is finished in a single week.
Take Practical Driving Lessons
The theory course and the initial practical classes frequently begin at the same time. Basic practical instruction is provided at the beginning. With the numerous circuits around the driving school grounds, these are the traditional initial lessons. The amount of hours is determined by your personal abilities. 7 special sessions, 4 on the highways and the other 3 at dusk or in the dark along with at least 45 minutes classes on federal or rural roads. For anyone obtaining a driver’s license, this is the bare minimum of practical instruction. You’ll require following lessons:
- Basic training on the practice range as required.
- 5 driving hours on federal or country roads.
- 4 driving hours on the freeway (Autobahn).
- 3 driving hours at night.
- Additional hours after consultation with the instructor.
What Does a Practical Driving Test Look Like?
You can take the practical test if you and your instructor have determined that you are competent enough to operate the vehicle. Three requirements must be fulfilled in order to take practical exams:
- The minimum age required for the relevant driving license class may be just one month below your actual age.
- The theoretical test must have gone well for you.
- The authorities must have received confirmation from the instructor that you received practical training.
Once all requirements are met, your instructor will register you for the practical exam at your place of residence. Typically, you’ll have a final driving lesson right before the exam to prepare. The test begins with a safety check, where the examiner asks three questions about your car, such as fluid levels, headlight function, etc. Then you’ll drive a set route, completing tasks like backing into a parking space, starting on a hill, or performing an emergency stop. Minor mistakes are allowed, but serious errors will result in failure and you’ll need to wait at least 2 weeks and pay the test fee again before retaking it.
The exam lasts 30-45 minutes. The examiner, usually seated in the back, evaluates your safety, competence, and composure, while your instructor sits beside you to intervene if necessary.
Converting Your Indian Driving License to a German One
You do not require further theory and practical driving lessons if you currently hold a driving license from India or another non-EU nation; nonetheless you must take both theoretical and practical exams. To make sure you’re prepared for the test, you can choose whether or not to have a teacher teach you how to drive before it. However, you must complete certain papers before you can take the exam.
You must submit an application to the appropriate authority in your place of residence. This could be the road traffic department (Straßenverkehrsamt) or the district office (Bezirksamt). Here’s the list of documents usually required.
- Personal ID or Passport
- Biometric passport photo
- Driving license and a copy of the driving license
- Translation of the driver’s license
- Proof of residence (Meldebescheinigung)
- First aid certificate
- Eye test certificate
Traffic Laws and Rules in Germany
Red Lights
Even in the majority of rural locations in Germany, it remains illegal to run a red light. To convict those who run red lights, cameras are placed in various locations.
Flash to Overtake and Turn
When beginning or finishing a turn or passing manoeuvre, always flash. Other drivers anticipate this indication to know when you are turning or passing. The car behind you might be momentarily flashing its headlights if you forget the aforementioned rule. On the Autobahn, this is also a common indicator indicating you should shift to the right lane of the road in order to pass.
Speed Limits
Highways with extremely high speed restrictions and even certain roads with no speed limit at all are common in Germany. In reality, though, there are a lot of places on German highways with rigorous speed limits. You can’t overlook the speed limits on the roadways because they are clearly marked. 2 typical speed limits exist are 100km/h (62mph) outside of populated areas and 50km/h (31mph) inside.
Speed Limits on The Autobahn
When driving on German motorways, a speed of 130km/h (81mph) is advised. Although driving faster is not illegal, it may result in partial culpability for damages due to the greater risk. Furthermore, driving at a speed that puts the vehicle’s safe distance beyond the driver’s line of sight is prohibited. Naturally, you have to drive at the speed specified by traffic signs.
Autobahn Rules and Safety Regulations
- Whenever possible, stay on the right side of the road and pass on the left.
- Drive to the right once more after completing the passing manoeuvre.
- When doing so, always indicate when it’s your turn.
- Before changing lanes, make sure fast cars can occasionally emerge out of nowhere, especially when you are switching from the right to the left lane.
- On motorways, be mindful of the speed limit. This is particularly important in areas with high traffic volumes.
- If there is a traffic bottleneck, move your car as far onto the hard shoulder as you can to provide room for rescue vehicles to pass, if needed.
Timed Parking
Parking is permitted there, as indicated by a blue sign with a “P” on it. You can frequently use a parking disc in these situations. This blue plate displays the times on a movable white scale. The parking disc specifies how long you can park for free when you park in that area. Remove your disc, set it to your arrival time, and put it on your car’s dashboard before you get out.
Parking Garages
Pull a ticket from the machine by pushing the “Drücken” button before you enter a parking garage to park. You have to pay before you can get back in your car, so keep the ticket with you when you get out. In a parking garage, charges differ. They cost between €1 for a half-hour and roughly €1 for two hours.
Parking on Streets for a Short Time
In Germany, the majority of individuals park their cars next to the side of the road. Only vehicles travelling in that direction are permitted to park on the street’s side. Since traffic on one-way streets moves in the same direction on both sides, parking is permitted on both the right and left sides. Parking on the side of the road can occasionally be free for brief periods of time, but it usually requires paying a parking ticket.
Right of the Way at the Intersection
In Germany, crossing at crossroads is subject to a number of intricate regulations. In Germany, cars approaching from the right often have the right-of-way. At intersections, a diamond-shaped sign designating right-of-way roadways can, however, override this regulation. The German give-way sign, which is an inverted triangle with a red border and a white interior, should not be mistaken with this sign.
Seat Belt
All German automobiles are required to include seat belts in both the front and rear seats. A fine will be imposed on anyone found not wearing a seat belt. Youngsters under the age of twelve must always ride in the rear. A child must be transported in a child seat or child restraint if they are under 12 years old and less than 150 cm.
First Aid Kit
A portable red caution triangle and a first aid kit must be kept in the trunk of every vehicle. The triangle is positioned behind a car to alert oncoming vehicles that it must stop on a German highway. When doing so, a yellow high-visibility vest is required.
Key Differences in driving between India and Germany
| Feature | India | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Road Infrastructure | Road quality can vary widely from modern highways to congested city streets and rural roads with potholes. Lane markings and traffic signals are sometimes missing or ignored. | Roads are extremely well-maintained, even in rural areas. Highways (Autobahns) are famous for smooth surfaces and efficient design. Clear signage, strict lane discipline, and orderly intersections are standard. |
| Traffic Rules | Although there are traffic laws, they are not often adhered to. Lane cutting, driving on the wrong side of the road, and a loose interpretation of the law are all frequent occurrences. Cities differ in how they enforce traffic laws. | There are severe penalties for breaking the rules, which include speeding, intoxicated driving, and unauthorised parking. It is expected of drivers to be aware of and abide by the rules. |
| Driving Behaviour and Discipline | With frequent honking, abrupt braking, and erratic manoeuvres, driving may be chaotic. Driving defensively is crucial. | Driving is quite regimented. Only in emergencies is honking utilised. Drivers expect others to observe traffic etiquette, signal attentively, and keep a safe distance. |
| Speed and Road Etiquette | Lower speed limits are frequently disregarded. Congestion makes driving in cities slow, but on highways, there may be a mix of rapid and slow traffic. | Some parts of the Autobahn have no general speed limit, yet high-speed driving is quite well-organised. Overtaking only occurs on the left; slower cars remain on the right. |
| Vehicle Condition and Maintenance | Inspections of vehicles are less common. Older automobiles, motorcycles, lorries, and occasionally overloaded vehicles are frequently seen on the roads. | Every one to two years, vehicles go through rigorous technical inspections (TÜV) to make sure they are roadworthy. Vehicles with poor maintenance are uncommon. |
| Parking | Parking on the street is frequently unofficial. It is typical to discover ad hoc parking spaces, double park or park on pavements. | Typical features include multi-story parking garages (also known as “Parkhäuser”), paid parking zones, and visible signs. Parking violations are punished with fines. |
| Pedestrian Priority | Pedestrians often cross wherever possible, and drivers may not always yield. | Pedestrians have clear rights,especially at crosswalks and drivers must stop to let them cross. |
Conclusion
With its first-rate infrastructure, well-defined regulations, and emphasis on safety, driving in Germany is a very structured and disciplined experience. Understanding local expectations is crucial whether you’re getting ready for the German driving exam, navigating your first Autobahn journey, or adjusting to a new driving culture than India’s.
Although the transition from India’s fast-paced, flexible roadways to Germany’s rule-based system may seem difficult at first, driving becomes safer and more predictable in the end. You may completely appreciate the freedom and efficiency of driving in Germany if you follow the rules, remain alert, and adjust to the organised environment. You will pass your driving test and be able to confidently enjoy all that Germany has to offer, from busy cities to picturesque country roads, if you prepare and have the correct attitude.
Gute Fahrt!
About the Author: Deep Parikh
