Local Driving Guide -
Unlike many European countries, the minimum age for driving in Germany is 17 years. Children must be at least 12 to sit in the front (unless the seat is fitted with a child restraint). Seat-belts are compulsory for all occupants. Roads in the former West Germany are superb, with the autobahns showing the standard of craftsmanship expected of the Germans. In the east of the country, the quality of the roads is fast catching up, but some remain fairly poor compared with Western standards. There are no speed limits on most stretches of the autobahns, although 130km/h is recommended, while the limit in built-up areas is 50km/h and on other roads it is 130km/h. As in Britain, automatic cameras are used extensively, and these can be positioned in unmarked police cars.. The fines for speeding and other motoring offences are large, so beware. The central parts of most German cities and towns feature a system of narrow, disjointed one-way streets, so make sure you have a map available. You may also find that parking out of the city and using the park-and-ride facility will save you a considerable amount of time. Do NOT drink and drive for a first offence of driving with more than the legal amount of 80mg of alcohol in your system your driving licence will be confiscated for one month. |
