22/08/2025
SEVEN RULES FOR DRIVING ON THE AUTOBAHN
All German drivers go to Fahrschule (driving school), where they are required to learn the laws and rules for driving on the autobahn. But foreigners (even Europeans!) in Germany may not realize those rules may be different from the ones in their homeland. Here are seven helpful rules for successful driving on the autobahn:
PHOTO: The A6 autobahn to Frankfurt at the A5 exit to Heidelberg. Credit: Hyde Flippo, The German Way
1. No passing on the right.
The first thing any driver needs to know about the autobahn is that passing on the right is 'verboten'! The pass-on-the-left-only rule is one of the things that make the autobahn work. You must move into a left lane in order to pass. The only exception is when traffic is moving at a very slow rate of speed, such as in a traffic jam. (Also see "Rettungsgasse" below.)
2. Double check your side-view mirror before moving into the left lane!
Always, but especially on sections of the autobahn with no speed limit, this is critical. Speeding cars can suddenly appear out of nowhere and zoom past you at speeds exceeding 160km/h. You could be doing the “recommended” speed of 130 km/h and have German drivers passing you as if you were standing still.
3. Slower traffic stays to the right.
When possible, move into the right lane. Most German drivers are good about this, but some non-German drivers are not. If you are passing several vehicles in a row (usually trucks), you can stay left or in the middle lane, but as soon as there is space, move right. If you see a vehicle coming up from behind you at a higher rate of speed, signal and move over. Don't be surprised if they flash their high beams. It's common and only considered mildly rude. Just move over.
4. Always use your turn indicators.
German drivers use their signal lights to indicate a lane change, and so should you. German-made cars have blinker controls that make the turn signal blink three times and then shut off automatically. A slight nudge on the control lever activates that feature. A stronger push activates the normal turn signals that you have to turn off, or that turn off after a right or left turn.
5. Obey the speed limit.
Contrary to popular myth, there are speed limits on the autobahn. While there are still a few stretches of autobahn where it is legal to drive at top speed, those sections are limited, and growing more limited by the year. You will also see square blue signs with white numbers reading "130" in Germany. That means 130 km/h, the "advised" top speed on the German autobahn. The legal speed limit is a black number on a round white sign outlined in red. Sometimes there are also overhead electronic signs indicating the speed limit and warnings. Many autobahn sections have limits of 120 km/h, 110 km/h or even lower, especially in urban areas. Germany uses unmarked police cars and automated roadside radar/photo devices that take pictures of violators and the vehicle's license plate (in German: "geblitzt werden", to get flashed).
6. Take a break every two hours.
Driving on the autobahn can be draining. After two hours or so, it's wise to take a break. The autobahn has rest stops (Raststätten) with gas stations, restaurants, shops, picnic tables, and toilets (with an entrance fee...). There are also more modest stops along the way with just picnic tables and parking. Take advantage of these for occasional breaks from driving. Note: It's illegal to run out of fuel on the autobahn! Fill up!
7. Go with the flow.
German drivers can be aggressive on the autobahn. When they pass you and suddenly cut in front of you, with a much smaller comfort zone than is normal where you come from, don’t take it personally. It's just the way they drive. You’d think that for all the money it can cost to get a German driver's license (thousands!), they would be better drivers. Well, for Germany, they are, and you can’t change that. But it's not a good time to be too timid either. As we said, go with the flow!
THE RETTUNGSGASSE (EMERGENCY LANE)
German and Austrian traffic law requires drivers to form a "Rettungsgasse" (emergency lane) whenever traffic backs up on the autobahn due to an accident or some other emergency requiring ambulances, fire trucks, police, or any other emergency response. If there are only two lanes in each direction, drivers are required to move their vehicles to the far right and far left, creating a middle open lane for emergency vehicles. If there are more than two lanes then drivers in the right-side lanes stay far right, while drivers in the third or fourth left lane stay on the far left. There's a bit more to it than we have space for here.
See this link for more (in German): https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rettungsgasse
