I've noticed a few people on this forum use their right hand drive cars in Germany. I'm planning to spend a few months there towards the end of this year, so I'm wondering what an Irish driver needs to know before spending time driving in Germany.

 

I carry a hi-vis vest, warning triangle and first aid kit,use winter tyres already and will set the lights to 'tourist mode' for driving on the right (Which seems to turn off all the adaptive functions :( ), but are there other things I must carry or are there any rules I could get in trouble with over there while thinking I'm driving legally?

 

If I end up staying in Germany longer, has anyone registered/insured their RHD car in Germany or is it more sensible to buy a car locally if you'll be there longer term?

LHD is a lot easier for overtaking, especially on the Autobahns. Cops with hand held speed cameras are sneaky and can hide in bushes so beware!

You need to have winter tyres at the appropriate time.

Environmental prohibitions are enforced in many major cities.

Police are able to issue on the spot fines for a range of offences.

I drive there regularly. Never had a problem. The roads are great.

Have a good time

Make sure you get your car flat out on the appropriate bit of the autobahns.

Not sure its law, but it is in my head. Haha.

My other half is German and we go regularly.

 

Always enjoy driving there.

 

Depending where you are going you may need an Umweltplakkete in certain city centres.

 

I bought mine online through the Berlin city website for about 8 euros.

 

Winter tyres aren't law for tourists... however if you caused an accident and the cause was summer tyres you could be in trouble. But you've been sensible and bought some anyway so no worries there.

 

Make sure you carry all your documents with you.

 

Phil

As mentioned above, retribution for offenders can be strict and enforced rigorously.  Parking on handicapped places or across access points for example, can end up getting your car towed. 

The Frankfurt pound is/was well out of town and it costs a lot to get a taxi out there, and even more to free your car.

 

If you are staying, as in residential status, you need to join everyone else and register with the Police.  This may set in train the need to get ligit, vehicle wise.

 

As for your vehicle, it may be an EU thing, and after 6 months you may need to get German paperwork anyway.  The German version of the MOT is the TUV, but is reputedly somewhat tougher. 

When I lived there in Frankfurt years ago, insurance as a foreigner was difficult and expensive. 

You had to pay an extra premium the first year, and a higher rate than natives thereafter.

With EU harmonisation this may not apply in the same way, but I would be surprised if it didn't still work out quite a bit more expensive, on top of the generally higher than UK premiums anyway.

I should imagine a "wrong side steer" car would attract similar, further loading.

 

My gut instinct is that it would be easier, cheaper and more convenient to leave/take back your car and buy one over there, if necessary.

 

If you go to somewhere with trams, they have priority all the time.  You must not over/undertake when they are at a stop. 

In Frankfurt, and many other cities, the vast majority of people live in apartments, this means the cities are more compact, but also means there is huge pressure on parking.  Most areas require a permit for which you pay, and only qualifies for a few streets.

The idea is to reduce pollution, persuade people not to use the vehicles so much and that is the tip of a very big iceberg in Germany.  It is a very Umwelt/Eco aware place.

The up side is you can get almost anywhere much quicker by bus or tram.  Unlike UK, they are on time, quick and wholesome.  Everyone uses them, so there is no stigma to not owning a car, and a lot of the time a lot less hassle too.

 

As far as general driving, on Autobahns, get ready for the fast boys and girls.  Driving quietly along at 90mph, then have a flurry of cars swoosh by at least 50% faster is umm... thought inducing.  If you are a bit slack on your mirror and rear observation skills, do a bit of practising.  You are expected to observe lane discipline much more than here.

Many big Autobahn hills now have quite low speed restrictions, you may be the only one breaking them, speed limits seem to be something that people are concerned about. 

 

The Landstrasse - the old main roads - can be really nice to drive along, especially in the more rural areas.  Even there, the surfaces are much better than here.

Thanks for all the replies - my Irish insurance covers me for EU countries short term, so Initially that will be fine. Changing to a local car if I stay makes sense anyway. There's so much extra tax paid on Irish cars that selling in Ireland is the only good option if I change car. I was around Konstanz over Christmas and while I wasn't driving, I did get in on a 235 km/h Autobahn run in my girlfriend's brother's 4WD 2.8 litre V6 Bora estate of all things... Still hard to believe it was legal .

 

 

As far as general driving, on Autobahns, get ready for the fast boys and girls.  Driving quietly along at 90mph, then have a flurry of cars swoosh by at least 50% faster is umm... thought inducing.  If you are a bit slack on your mirror and rear observation skills, do a bit of practising.  You are expected to observe lane discipline much more than here.

Many big Autobahn hills now have quite low speed restrictions, you may be the only one breaking them, speed limits seem to be something that people are concerned about. 

 

 

There is nothing like the first time a Porker's headlights magically appear 3 inches from your rear bumper from nowhere...it is indeed a place where you need to be extra vigilant in a way that your average centre lane hogging brit motorist would be scared ****less. Don't be tempted to go flat out straight away either, it takes time and experience to drive safely at 130+ amongst traffic, some of which is much slower.

There is also strict adherence to speed limits where they are imposed, so again the british mentality of sailing through a contraflow at 80mph won't go down well. You'll also notice that in roadworks, there doesn't appear to be sufficient width for a car, let alone a truck. White knuckle time!

Also some other tips about signs on the Autobahn.

 

A speed limit with the words "bei Nässe" means it's only applicable in the wet.

 

Also some speed limits have "Lärmschutz" and applicable between certain times. This is to reduce noise between those hours.

 

Lorries, coaches and towing vehicles aren't allowed to overtake on many stretches with signs showing this. Some are also only in effect between certain times.

 

Sunday morning is a good day to drive as only lorries with special permits (fresh goods and flowers usually) are allowed on the Autobahn before midday.

 

A sign reading "Straßenschäden" means a poor road surface.

 

The speed cameras are also a bit inconspicuous. Signs with the speed camera symbol and "Kontrolle" on mark the areas where they are used. They're little grey boxes at the sides. Still haven't worked out if I would get a fine from these with a UK plate... so I play it safe!

 

Have some change ready for toilets as they are charge you but they are clean at least!

 

Try and avoid getting fuel from motorway services (like in the UK) as they are expensive. I usually look up on the sat-nav for one a couple of KMs off the motorway. Aral, Marktkauf and Globus are usually cheap.

 

Phil

Edited 23 January, 201511 yr by Phil-E

The €0.50 charge at Autobahn services is refundable for coffee, food etc.  A shame you have to go before your shot of espresso.

Many places now have a premium coffee section too, Lavazza being quite common.

The €0.50 charge at Autobahn services is refundable for coffee, food etc.  A shame you have to go before your shot of espresso.

Many places now have a premium coffee section too, Lavazza being quite common.

 

Yes that is true.

 

You don't always have to use them at the same stop either. If you get the Texaco ones you can go to the toilet then stop at the next services to redeem your voucher. You can also redeem it back with fuel. So basically they make the toilets free for customers but make you pay upfront!

 

Phil

Also on the Autobahn, as i found on a long drive to Munich & back be very aware that like the UK, BMW drivers appear to be the worst for having " broken " indicators. Mercedes drivers do like them , specially if you have not moved over to the inside lane buy the time they are less than 1meter behind you.

 

Another habit is that cars on the inside lane will get very close to the car / truck before doing, manouver, signal, mirror, or more common is manouver, mirror.

 

I would recommend you stick to within 3 kph of limits, even though i did get flashed by one of these grey boxes ( with a merc up my chuff), it was a 130 kph, as i eventually spotted afterwards & i know was doing around 140- 145 kph, i did stick to speed limits after that.  

I havent got a ticket 'yet' but on investigation i found out that UK does not have an arrangement with other EU countries to collect this type of fine, but that will change either 2017 or 2018.

While this lack of enforcement is in place i do not believe that it gives anyone the right to drive like a kid with a new car, just because there is a very good chance that they will get away with it.

 

I would agree as said  keep your concentration high, & use mirrors twice as much as you do now.

 

The sensation of an Audi RS6 going past you at full tilt ( 175mph i beleive) on an unlimited section of the autobahn is something you do not forget in a hurry.

The fastest I've ever travelled was sat in the back of my other half's uncle's car. He picked us up late at night from the airport.

 

Basically just planted it and sat on the limiter (155mph) in his Mercedes S500 for mile upon mile. What's normally 45 minute journey in traffic was complete in about 20 mins! lol

One thing I forgot. 

It is necessary to have all your documents with you, including proper ID.  (which you should have with at all times irrespective, although this seems slightly ignored now).

 

Something else.  It is illegal not lock your car when parked. (?).

 

And another.  No car washing on Sundays.  I do suspect this means in the street or visible by neighbours - a bit like the no hanging washing out on Sundays either.   I was never quite sure if these were Federal, State or just local regulations.

And another.  No car washing on Sundays.  I do suspect this means in the street or visible by neighbours - a bit like the no hanging washing out on Sundays either.   I was never quite sure if these were Federal, State or just local regulations.

 

You're also not allowed to wash your car at home unless you have drainage installed to take all the water away to the sewerage system. This is to avoid pollution in ground water and storm drains etc.

 

Phil

They are generally very hot on that sort of thing round Frankfurt.  The bonus is that the car washes are, from my limited experience, excellent.

Most mains water is from artesian wells and north of Frankfurt there are lots of Quelle and Bad = springs and spa.

Yes that is true.

 

You don't always have to use them at the same stop either. If you get the Texaco ones you can go to the toilet then stop at the next services to redeem your voucher. You can also redeem it back with fuel. So basically they make the toilets free for customers but make you pay upfront!

 

Phil

 

Yes and the last place i used them allowed me to use a couple of vouchers at once which made for very cheap coffee.

 

I think driving in germany is overrated however....driving back from Munich in october i drove through 23 sets (i counted in disbelief) of different roadworks and lengthy width restrictions. They are clever in the way they keep as many lanes open as possible, but at the lack of lane width and speed restrictions mean you hit rolling road blocks where traffic cannot disperse fast enough and people are not always confident to overtake in the reduced lane areas (often foreign vehicles). There is a LOT of traffic in general in germany, just like here!

 

you want fun...come to italy...its like wacky races...but in real life!

Edited 25 January, 201511 yr by Oet

The fastest I've ever travelled was sat in the back of my other half's uncle's car. He picked us up late at night from the airport.

 

Basically just planted it and sat on the limiter (155mph) in his Mercedes S500 for mile upon mile. What's normally 45 minute journey in traffic was complete in about 20 mins! lol

 

In an S500 it probably didn't feel particularly fast either.

My other half is German and we go regularly.

 

Always enjoy driving there.

 

Depending where you are going you may need an Umweltplakkete in certain city centres.

 

I bought mine online through the Berlin city website for about 8 euros.

 

Winter tyres aren't law for tourists... however if you caused an accident and the cause was summer tyres you could be in trouble. But you've been sensible and bought some anyway so no worries there.

 

Make sure you carry all your documents with you.

 

Phil

Are you 100% sure on winter tyres for tourist? When it was implemented in 2010 and until I left last year, the 'situational winter tyre obligation' was applicable to non German registered vehicles and drivers did receive the €40 on the spot fine for just being detected without them. There were exemptions for some hire vehicles and lorries etc only require them on drive wheels. 

 

'Umweltplakette' is one to be careful of, you got yours at a good price, TUV charges €6 for 'D' registered vehicles and €12.50 for foreign ones. There are websites which will provide them to you and charge up to €50! Pure rip off to be watched out for, for the OP. Can be purchased in person at a TUV station (registration docs required as they are for purchasing online etc).

 

There is nothing like the first time a Porker's headlights magically appear 3 inches from your rear bumper from nowhere...it is indeed a place where you need to be extra vigilant in a way that your average centre lane hogging brit motorist would be scared ****less. Don't be tempted to go flat out straight away either, it takes time and experience to drive safely at 130+ amongst traffic, some of which is much slower.

There is also strict adherence to speed limits where they are imposed, so again the british mentality of sailing through a contraflow at 80mph won't go down well. You'll also notice that in roadworks, there doesn't appear to be sufficient width for a car, let alone a truck. White knuckle time!

White knuckle to the max with the temp barrier 1 inch from you on left and the temp line less again on right! As said no need to be trying to see what your car can do straight away, especially not in any sort of traffic lol. Condition of car is rather important when intending to travel at speeds where a blow could end your and or other peoples lives. Have a good check over the car and keep her honest.

 

Also some other tips about signs on the Autobahn.

 

A speed limit with the words "bei Nässe" means it's only applicable in the wet.

 

Also some speed limits have "Lärmschutz" and applicable between certain times. This is to reduce noise between those hours.

 

Lorries, coaches and towing vehicles aren't allowed to overtake on many stretches with signs showing this. Some are also only in effect between certain times.

 

Sunday morning is a good day to drive as only lorries with special permits (fresh goods and flowers usually) are allowed on the Autobahn before midday.

 

A sign reading "Straßenschäden" means a poor road surface.

 

The speed cameras are also a bit inconspicuous. Signs with the speed camera symbol and "Kontrolle" on mark the areas where they are used. They're little grey boxes at the sides. Still haven't worked out if I would get a fine from these with a UK plate... so I play it safe!

 

Have some change ready for toilets as they are charge you but they are clean at least!

 

 

 

Phil

 

Coaches are not included in the overtaking restriction zones and provided towing vehicles gross weight is not over 3.5ton (metric) does not apply to them either (ie gross weight of a passenger car at say 2ton and a small trailer with a max gross of 1ton would be allowed to overtake as per normal). As per Article 41 of the StVO.

 

The wee boxes on the autobahns are as with all inc van mounted, used to take forward facing pictures to identify the driver (passengers are now blurred out) The Autobahn ones BLIND you with red light at night time. Out and about on other roads there are all sorts of shapes and sizes just like in the UK inc Gatso's with road markings. The fines are much more reasonable and speed dependent, however also situation dependent, ie get caught speeding through roadworks at night while too close to another vehicle and you will be dealt with by a court (normally €700-€1000 for that), also a ban from being allowed to drive in Germany for a year or life etc can be imposed. UK registered vehicles cannot be tracked back to the UK for the purpose of follow up in that sense, as always has been the case. In Nov 2013 there was a big change in this for most EU countries allowing open vehicle registration databases between agreeing nations for the purpose of just this enforcement. The UK was one of the few to decline. ROI, I am not so sure about (although it does have a joint access policy between Shannon and Swansea due to the existence of a land boarder with the UK). Registration over time with a build up of offences against it could be checked by the police and dealt with if stopped and can be up to as much as arrest on the spot if your a real bad egg. This would require them to physically check and is not currently included in any sort of ANPR picking out foriegn vehicles with outstanding tickets. 

Vehicles over 7.5 Ton on a Sunday(and bank holidays) is from 00:00-22:00, with the exceptions of fresh produce and empty vehicle having just delivered fresh produce, federal vehicles and some intermodal with 150 & 200km ranges from rail head and ports etc, not just before midday. Does in effect give a dramatic reduction in commercial vehicles on the roads. If you are driving commercially it is an absolute nightmare if you get stuck in traffic before your destination and it's a Sat evening, you have to park up, and if it's a bank holiday weekend, FML! Then there are roads that have night time bans for vehicles over 7.5ton...... Real pain in the hoop to plan and work around at times. 

 

The popular little ones are indicating off a roundabout only not on approach or around, only having passed the exist before the one you intend to take (causes confusion and frustration for visiting drivers ignorant of the fact). In fog/snow/anything reducing visibility below 50 meters on ALL roads speed limit is then 50kph and accompanied by fog lights. A sign with a yellow church on it relates to a Catholic chapel and a purple one a Protestant church lol....... There are signs for everything, most are self explanatory, the written ones are worth reading into. 110 for police 112 for ambulance etc.

 

psycholist I will send you a PM with some useful links in it inc a theory test but in English with instructional lessons etc which can be taken beforehand it wanted.

 

Edited 26 January, 201511 yr by FUBAR

If you intend to work over there, choose Bayern (Bravaria) as they have more saints days holidays -16, than where I was in Hesse which only had 8.  These are on top of normal entitlement. 

Any bank or religious holiday falling on a weekend was lost.  You could end up with only a 1/2 day at xmas for example.

 

When I worked there I was a bit surprised that holiday pay for annual leave was as well as your monthly salary.   My holiday entitlement was on a sliding scale.  It took 3 years to get the 4 weeks summer leave.  Had I stayed longer, it would have got to 6 weeks.

 

Health and Social insurance may come as a bit of a shock, but the salary should make up for it.  I opted for the cheapest - AOK and it was fine for the short time I was there.  Other providers offer much better cover, but pro rata payment.  The cover my sister gets for her severe arthritis is exemplary - way beyond the service she would get here.

The Health Service was much better.  Turn up at your doc's with a sore throat and he will arrange for you to go see an ENT doc straight away, for example.  No dirty crowded noisy waiting rooms either.  My doc had proper chairs and sofas and real art on the walls.

 

Prices seem a bit steep to me especially coming from France or Italy.  Most coffee places in Frankfurt charge €3+.   Food can be reasonable if you know where to look.

Once settled in of course, you will have an income of German proportions, so it won't matter, but you may be like me and occasionally think "HOW MUCH!"

yes i agree, they tyre thing should be applicable to all vehicles on that road and not just domestic vehicles using the road. No one is going to force you to fit them, but as said if you have an accident without them you will be held to blame accordingly.

 

iirc Germany is starting to charge foreign motorists for using their road like the swiss and austrian vignette, if you have a search on google you will find some info, not sure if its this year or next.

Thanks for the clarification on some of those points Fubar. I have things floating in my head but they get "fuzzy" sometimes

 

You may be right about the winter tyres. We don't often go over in Winter and it was a while since I checked.

 

The place to buy the umweltplakette:

 

https://www.berlin.de/labo/kfz/dienstleistungen/feinstaubplakette.shop.en.php

 

They're actually 6 euros and you upload your log book on the site etc. Very good system. Bought 2 from them and they arrived really quickly.

 

Another thing I've just remembered is when driving on side streets. Cars pulling out of side roads to the right often have right of way "Rechts vor Links".

 

There's usually road markings but not always. If this is not the case it's marked by a yellow diamond.

 

Phil

 

Phil

Found it, You were right Fubar:

 

Winter tyres in Germany

The rules in Germany changed at the end of 2010 - regulations now require all passenger cars and motorbikes including vehicles from foreign countries to be fitted with winter tyres or all season tyres on all axles when conditions are wintery.

If your vehicle becomes stuck during the winter months because the tyres are unsuitable you will be liable to an on the spot fine in Germany. If the vehicle causes an obstruction and aggravation to other traffic, the fine may be doubled. You may also be prevented from continuing your journey.

 

Phil

The umweltplakette:

You only need one in designated areas, city centres most likely.  The area covered in Frankfurt for example, is quite small, you could easily walk across.  My sister lives outside the designated area.  It is a 10 mins walk into the town centre.  Where there is no parking anyway, so why would you go?

You can get one online as per Phil's reference, or there are several others. 

 

The eligibility is done as part of your vehicle's homolgation.  You don't have to prove or demonstrate anything.  You can just take your V5 down to any TUV centre and ask for one.  They look at the documents and take €5 (I think) and give you the plakette.  Its not a tax or a punishment, after all its not UK.  They are issued for the life of the vehicle.

 

I have not checked for ages, but drivers did have to carry all their documents all the time, insurance, licence, TUV and registration/proof of ownership.  If that is still the case then you will have everything you need to get one over there.

 

TUV=Technischer Überwachungsverein.  As far as vehicles are concerned, they are independent test stations.  Ask a friend, colleague or the tourist info or at your hotel/campsite, even someone in the street, they'll know. 

They are not garages, although any car place will also be able to direct you.

Make sure you get your car flat out on the appropriate bit of the autobahns.

Not sure its law, but it is in my head. Haha.

 

Done! (In the Clio - 135mph on the GPS)

 

Not sure it has been mentioned yet but I seem to remember the minimum tread depth is higher than our 1.6mm at all times of the year? I put a new set of boots on before I went to the 'ring just to be sure I wouldn't be close to the limit while driving out there.