Road rules and safety - Germany

The use of seat belts and child restraint systems is MANDATORY (Directive 91/671/EEC as amended).

Seat belts are not compulsory for:

• drivers of taxis or hired passenger cars, on duty
• delivery vehicles making frequent stops
• driving at walking pace
• transport services where standing passengers are allowed
• operational staff on coaches and buses
• passengers on buses and coaches who briefly leave their seats

Child seats are not compulsory for:

• transport services where standing passengers are allowed
• vehicles where there is no space for a third child seat and the child (over 3) sits in the back seat wearing a seat belt
• disabled children may be secured with special belts.

Red light (or flashing amber light) at level crossings (rail/road intersections): you must stop and wait at the crossing sign.

Flashing red arrow at level crossings: you must stop and wait only if intending to turn in the direction of the arrow.

• For vehicle combinations up to 3.5 t with special technical equipment: 100 km/h

• recommended

• recommended

• Buses with standing room for passengers

• Buses with standing room for passengers

• Buses with special technical equipment

• Vehicle over 7.5 t

• Vehicle up to 7.5 t with trailer

• Vehicle up to 7.5 t

• Vehicle with trailer

• Towing vehicle with two trailers

Total alcohol ban for novice and young drivers

Novice drivers (in their probation period) and young drivers (under 21 years old)

Sanctioned with a fine and 1 point in the national Driving Fitness Register (penalty point system)

Sanctions apply if a blood sample indicates an alcohol level of 0.5 mg/ml or more or an alcohol level of 0.1 mg/l of breath

All drivers of motor vehicles

Sanctioned with a fine, a driving ban and 2 points in the national Driving Fitness Register (penalty point system)

A sample indicating a blood alcohol level of 0.3 mg/ml or more together with impaired driving is considered as a crime and the driver is sanctioned with a fine or imprisonment. The same sanctions apply if a blood alcohol level of 1.1 mg/ml is detected. Both situations can also lead to the withdrawal of the driving licence together with a prohibition period for its renewal/re-issuance.

Professional drivers (offenders can be sacked) and dangerous goods drivers (sanctioned with a fine)

THC (cannabis) limits

Complete ban

Novice drivers (in their probation period) and young drivers (under 21 years old).

Sanctioned with a fine and 1 point in the national Driving Fitness Register (penalty point system).

Sanctions apply if a blood sample indicates a level of 1.0ng/ml THC or more.

3.5 ng/ml or more (blood)

All drivers of motor vehicles

Sanctioned with a fine, a driving ban and 2 points in the national Driving Fitness Register (penalty point system)

If THC is detected in a blood sample (even below 3.5 ng/ml together with impaired driving, it is treated as a crime and the driver sanctioned with a fine or imprisonment. It can also lead to the withdrawal of the driving licence together with a prohibition period for its renewal/re-issuance.

0.0 ng/ml

Professional drivers (offenders can be sacked)

Forbidden drugs

Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA)

Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE)

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA (ecstasy))

Morphine (heroin)

Morphine

Cocaine

Benzoylecgonine

Amphetamine

Methamphetamine

Sanctioned with a fine, a driving ban and 2 points in the national Driving Fitness Register (penalty point system).

Detection of forbidden drugs in a blood sample together with impaired driving, is treated as a crime and the driver is sanctioned accordingly. It can also lead to the withdrawal of the driving licence together with a prohibition period for its renewal/re-issuance.

Lanes for pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and farm vehicles

The emergency lane may not be used except where this is expressly permitted (e.g. by road sign 223.1).

A red light in the shape of a cross means that the lane may not be used (or stopped in)

Specific lanes reserved for buses and coaches in regular service are marked by road sign 245.

Forbidden lanes are indicated by road signs – e.g. 600, 605, 610, 615 and 616.