Everything you need to know about driving in Germany.
Driving side
Right
Speed limits
50 km/h – 100 km/h – 130 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.5 ‰
Motorway tolls
No
Emergency number
112
Germany has some of Europe's most structured traffic rules. The famous Autobahn has no general speed limit, though advisory limits of 130 km/h apply. Strict drink-driving laws with 0.5‰ BAC limit (0.0‰ for new drivers). Winter tyres required in wintry conditions.
Speeding
Using phone while driving
Parking violation
Red light
You must stop.
Wait before the stop line. In Germany, red and yellow come on together next.
Tip: Press play to see the EU cycle (red → red+yellow → green → yellow).
Rules may change. Always verify with official sources.
Urban
50 km/h
31 mph
Rural
100 km/h
62 mph
Motorway
130 km/h
81 mph
No general speed limit on motorways (Autobahn), but 130 km/h is the recommended advisory speed. Some sections have permanent limits.
In Austria, rules can vary by state and city. Click on a region to see local differences.
Please note
Regional rules supplement national defaults. Always follow signs and local regulations on the road.
ADAC e.V.
German Federal Government