Car Rental Germany
Car Rental Germany
Want to rent a car? You'll need a valid driving license from your home state or province. The legal driving age is 18, but the common car rental age is 21, and sometimes higher. Non-EU license holders will also need an International Driving Permit which is obtainable from the AAA.
General Information About Germany
Region: Europe
Population: 81,947,100 October 2002
Capital: Berlin
Climate: Temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm,tropical wind; high relative humidity.
Language: German
Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents
National Holiday: German Unity Day, 3 October (1990)
Fast Auto Facts
Germany is the third largest producers of automobiles (preceded by Japan and USA)
Famous car makers: Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Porsche.
11000 km of Autobahn in the Republic. Motorways are toll-free.
80 themed highways: Romantic Road, Fairy Tale Road and Castle Road are most famous.
Some Driving Laws In Germany
Seat belts are compulsory (being caught can result in a 30 EUR fine), and children under 13 years of age cannot sit in the front seat if there's a back seat.
Driving is on the right side of the road. Passing is on the left and there are stiff fines for passing on the right.
Alcohol limit is 0.05, 0.08 for accidents. The first offense normally results in fines and license suspension.
If you see a blinking yellow light at an intersection it means stop, then proceed if the intersection is clear. Run a red light and you'll probably be caught: many intersections have radar-controlled cameras hooked up to traffic lights. Caught speeding by a camera? Then the rental car agency will be ticketed, and the car agency will inform the police and you will be forwarded the ticket.
Must have portable red warning triangle and first aid kit in the trunk.
Police are allowed to collect fines of up to 50 EUR on the spot.
Road Conditions As Stated By The U.S Bureau Of Consular Affairs
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Excellent
Germany
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Speed Limits (Tempolimit)
| Urban Areas |
50 km/h |
| Residential Areas |
30 km/h |
| 2-Lane Highways |
100 km/h |
| Autobahn |
130 km/h |
|
Driving Tips In Germany
A particular hazard of driving in Europe in the winter time is the danger of "black ice" or glatteis. The best way to recognize black ice is by surface reflection, but that dull patch just ahead might be ice also. Be especially wary in the early morning or late evening and near or on bridges. If you see the patch, take your foot off the gas quickly. Once on an icy section, do not accelerate, brake, gear down or make any sudden change in direction. Road signs are posted less frequently, so pay attention on the road. Traffic calming zones (Verkehrsberuhigungenzone), indicated by a sign showing a pedestrian and a child kicking a ball, are often found in residential areas. In them playing children may use the entire street and traffic must stop for pedestrians and move at no more than 7 km/h. Keep well behind other cars. If starting to lose control, steer toward the edge of the road where residues of sand and salt might help. Exercise caution while traveling on the older roads of Eastern Germany.
Useful Translations
Maut = Toll
Fahrschule = Driving school (new German drivers will have an "N" on their cars)
German Auto Club
ADAC (Allgemeine Deutsche Automobil-Club)
Head office: ADAC, Am Westpark 8, 81360 Munich.
Telephone: (089) 76760
Emergency Contact Telephone Numbers
Police/Ambulance:110
Fire:112
More information about your Car Rental Germany
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