DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GERMANY & GREAT BRITAIN
If you drive in Germany then there is a number of things you need to know.
Seat belts are mandatory All front seat rear occupants must wear seat belts, if available.
Driving on the wrong side of the road in a car driving in the right hand takes some time to master Think right, right, right, right each time you get in the car, you can even set up some systems navigation to remind you be especially careful when from gas stations or restaurants that are on the left side of the road.
If you can, begin your journey into the light of day after a good night's sleep, driving on the Autobahn highways in Germany the night takes getting used to as there is often no cat eyes.
Be careful if exceeded - allow more space between you and the car in front so you can see further down the road, remembering that, miles of car behind you in the mirror can be your back faster than you can tell Michael Schumaker.
While many sections of motorway in Germany have no speed limit, they exist and where speed limits are set they are being rigorously implemented radar traps are frequent and heavy on the spot fines can be imposed.
There aren t many roundabouts in Germany, but they exist Be especially careful at roundabouts and junctions - remember that you are going roundabouts around counterclockwise in the opposite direction in the UK.
Become familiar with the signs and general road rules Some signs and road markings will be familiar to Brits, but there are some that are different and some are downright unique.
Be especially careful at traffic lights turn right Often pedestrians have a green light as well, and you must give way to them it is a bit of a shock when you are a pedestrian, too, I shouted to the first car that drove to me that I was crossing on green, only to realize he was too green.
Petty crime in Germany is much less in the UK However, foreign-registered cars attract thieves, looking for valuables left in the car Be especially careful about where you park your car and avoid leave your belongings inside If you have to leave your belongings in the car, make sure that as much as possible is locked and covered in the trunk, but please take valuables with you.
Gas stations can be paid first, self-service or full service Look for the signs in the garage.
Fuel in gas stations are unleaded 91 bleifrei, 95 octane and 98, diesel and gasoline LPG No lead is available in Germany lead replacement additive can be purchased.
Debit card payment credit charges are accepted at most filling stations, but not check before filling Oh and check with the issuer of your how the use in Germany card can cost you before you move some cards are free to use abroad, others aren t.
Make sure that you do on the highway petrol t down, there are fines up to be stupid.
There are no toll booths for motorways in Germany, but since 1 January 2005, is a toll for heavy goods vehicles called LKW-Maut heavy trucks over 12 tonnes are now charged per kilometer So if you are a trucker s mysterioulsy landed, you have three choices of how to pay, you can register online, at one of the Collect toll stations in service stations, gas stations, etc., and there also a board unit OBU you can find more information about the Connect toll system in English too.
Do not drink and drive, I mean, you should not anyway, but Germany has strict drink driving laws, only allowing 0 to 25 milligrams of alcohol per liter of blood - stricter than the UK, you may even lose your license for cycling while the influence you have been warned.
Keep your cool, there on the spot fines for such things as the use of abusive language or making derogatory signs, although most Germans do not understand the two fingers hi, they think you are ordering two beers.
If you drive on the roads in Germany, you must have a valid driving license hrerschein F, and you must carry your license on all trips from your UK driving license is valid in Germany, and there is no limit the amount of time you are allowed to drive here, but if you move here to live and it is your principal residence, you have to change your license of a German This is especially important if you are involved in an accident transport license that evil address, or who has used the photo of UK license is only valid for ten years and may invalidate your insurance.
Get a German license is very, very easy just go to the offices of local councils Ordnungsamt Rathaus and visit the licensing authority Fahrerlaubnisbeh rde You can find a local KFZ on the portal.
If you do not speak German attempt to take along a friend, your friend, take your UK photo license and your license with two recently taken pictures of biometric, passports, and more importantly, the registration documents you were given when you moved in Germany If you have moved to Germany, you will also need new registration documents, but you must have the original, because it shows you moved the UK there is no need to an eye test or something like that, but you will pay for the new license when you ask takes about 2-4 weeks, and they will send a letter to pick up Take your receipt and they will exchange your old photo license UK for a new German one, you always keep complete license documents the best thing is, the German driver's license will last you for the rest of e your life if you stay in Germany if you return to the UK, you can swap back just as easily.
If you have your own car, all vehicles must be registered If you buy a new or used car from a dealer, they should do it for you otherwise you'll need to DIY the register of local automotive Autozulassungsstelle Take proof of property, proof of insurance, safety inspection certificate and television, if you bought the car in Germany, the registration certificate of the original vehicle Kraftfahrzeugbrief, this document remains with the car throughout its active life If you move, you must re-register the car.
You license plates begin with the letters that reflect the area you live in Frankfurt F B Berlin DA Darmstadt etc. This is followed by a couple more letters and figures Fortunately, you see much less personalized license plates Germany If you get out of an area you need to get new license plates.
If your car needs aa TV Technischer berwachungsverein you can ask a garage to do everything necessary or take it to the Technischer berwachungsverein yourself cars must undergo a television sounds like Toof me every two years, but you're car is new you first inspection after three years and then every two years a TV the engine, chassis, frame and all other components, including brakes, tires, horn, wheel alignment, windshield, lights and mirrors are checked vehicles that fail inspection are usually not due to rust or faulty lamps, exhaust brakes or tires the basic rule is that if an element is mounted on the vehicle, it must be operated and even completely useful if it is not essential to the operation of the car This means that if you have electronic door mirrors, they have to work with electronically.
Third party insurance is required to drive in Germany Most credit cards and platinum gold standard insurance cover; if not, make sure that your regular car insurance will be carried on your car hire If you rent, rent or borrow a car, you will need a green card, or international insurance certificate, to prove that you have insurance GOT liability by the car rental agency If you rent a car, get a green card from the dealer.
Check if your car insurance applies abroad; even if it does, you'll still need a green card to certify to foreign officials if you have a collision abroad, the accident will be posted on your national records if you notify your insurance company .
If you belong to the AA, you are eligible for roadside assistance, discounts on certain forms of auto insurance and other road services of the German automobile club equivalent, Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club ADAC, Am Westpark 8 , 81373 Munich 089 767 60 All great cities have ADAC branch.
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