Germany

Key points for young drivers:

• Motorway: no general limit, 130 km/h recommended – but watch the signs. Outside built-up areas 100 km/h, in towns 50 km/h.
• Alcohol: under 21 or in your probation period – 0.0 ‰. Cannabis is completely banned for you.
• Motorways are free for cars. For low-emission zones in cities you need an Umweltplakette sticker.
• In the car: first-aid kit, warning triangle, high-visibility vest.
• In winter, with snow or ice – tyres with the Alpine symbol (M+S alone is no longer enough).
• Fines are fixed and high – refusing one means going to court.

Seat belts and child seats

Everyone wears a seat belt. Children travel in child seats (child restraint systems) – this is compulsory.

If a third child seat won’t fit in the car, a child over 3 may travel in the back with a normal seat belt.

Traffic lights

As in most EU countries. Remember level crossings: at a red or flashing amber light you stop before the level crossing sign and wait. A flashing red arrow only stops you if you are turning in its direction.

Helmet not compulsory

Bicycle – a helmet is not compulsory.

Mopeds, three- and four-wheelers that go no faster than 20 km/h – no helmet requirement either.

Helmet compulsory

• motorcycle (also with a sidecar)
• moped
• three- and four-wheelers (light and heavy)

Compulsory equipment in the car

• first-aid kit
• warning triangle
• high-visibility vest

If you break down, secure the spot with the warning triangle and put on the vest. On the motorway, call a breakdown service rather than changing a wheel yourself.

Compulsory equipment on a bike

• brakes
• bell
• lights

Winter tyres and snow chains

The rule is “situational”: when there is snow, ice, black ice or slush on the road, you must have winter tyres. Without them you get a fine and you are liable for the damage in an accident.

Since 1 October 2024 only winter or all-season tyres with the Alpine symbol (a mountain with a snowflake) count. Tyres marked only “M+S” and made after 2017 are no longer enough (Bavarian Police).

Phone, drugs and other bans

Phone – hands-free kit only.

Cannabis: for novice drivers (probation period) and drivers under 21 – a total ban (penalty from 1.0 ng/ml THC in the blood). Everyone else: limit 3.5 ng/ml. Other drugs (e.g. amphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy) – banned.

Emergency corridor and lanes crossed out with a red “X” – keep out. Bus lanes (sign 245) are only for public transport buses.

Vignettes, tolls and low-emission zones

Motorways are free for cars – you don’t buy a vignette.

Low-emission zones (Umweltzone) in cities: you may only enter with an environmental sticker (Umweltplakette) issued for your car and stuck on the windscreen. Without it – a fine. Information: German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt).

Documents and insurance

A driving licence from an EU/EEA country is valid in Germany. You need valid third-party motor insurance that covers Germany – you don’t need a Green Card in the EU. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends taking out assistance cover for your trip.

A car from abroad needs the country identification sign at the back unless it is already on the EU number plate.

What to watch out for

• Fines are fixed (the Bußgeldkatalog). If you refuse to accept a fine, the case goes to court.
• After any collision – even a minor one – you must take part in clearing up what happened.
• Park in the direction of traffic and only where signs allow – parking in cities is heavily restricted.
• Be careful with hitchhikers: giving a lift to someone staying in Germany illegally can make you criminally liable.
• No limit on parts of the motorway doesn’t mean no checks – speed limit signs are common and fines are high.

Sources

• Your Europe – Road rules: Germany
• Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Odyseusz: Germany (in Polish)
• Bavarian Police – tyres with the Alpine symbol from 1 October 2024
• Umweltbundesamt – low-emission zones
• Last updated: September 2026.