General Legal Requirements - Germany

There are a couple of omissions in the 'Overseas Legal Requirements' of this website relating to driving in Germany. The most important anomalies for visitors from the UK are probably:

1. The text, quote "In Austria, it is now compulsory to have emergency corridors on all duel carriageways and motorways when there is congestion, this precautionary emergency corridor is created by drivers in the left hand lane moving as far to the left as they can, and drivers in the right hand side moving as far over to the right as they can, leaving a clear path down the middle of the road for the emergency services. A similar system has also been introduced in Slovenia and the Czech Republic." has always applied to Germany, too.

2. It is illegal to use indicators in a roundabout other than immediately prior to exiting it.

3. Overtaking on the right is permitted with care on multi-lane streets in built-up areas.

4. Winter tyres are required when 'wintry conditions prevail'. Unlike some other countries where exact dates are laid down when winter tyres must be fitted, the German requirment is a bit vague in this respect. Most interpret the law to apply when ground frost is present although it is recommended to have winter tyres fitted already at temperatures below 7°.

5. Road signs depicting prohibitions for trucks and trailers (usually no-overtaking signs on motorways) do not apply to cars towing a caravan unless accompanied by a supplementary sign depicting a car and trailer, as well.

6. Restrictions on maximum width (often in road work areas on the motorways) apply to the overall width of the vehicle, including mirrors, not the width documented in the vehicle handbook, brochures, etc. (which does not include the mirrors).