Vožnja v Nemčiji je del počitniških izkušenj za številne obiskovalce Evrope. Slikovite poti vas vodijo skozi nekatera najboljša območja Nemčije, vključno s Črnim gozdom in “Grajsko cesto”, kjer se boste odpravili v preteklost na poti, ki je obdana z več kot 70 gradovi in palačami. Obstajajo zanimivosti ljubiteljev avtomobilov, kot so tovarna BMW, dirkališče, po katerem se lahko vozite, in mednarodni avtomobilski sejmi.
Verjetno boste nekaj svojega časa porabili za vožnjo po svetovno znani avtocesti. Morali boste vedeti, kako to storiti varno, pa tudi razumeti najpomembnejša prometna pravila in brati ključne ulične znake v nemščini.
Vozniške zahteve
Tudi če imate vozniško dovoljenje iz svoje države ali države stalnega prebivališča, morate za vožnjo v Nemčiji imeti še najmanj 18 let, čeprav lahko 17-letniki vozijo s starejšim voznikom z dovoljenjem v avtomobilu. S seboj prinesite licenco in jo bodite pripravljeni pokazati, če to zahtevajo oblasti. An International Vozniško dovoljenje se prizna, vendar ni potrebno.
Nemci varnost jemljejo resno in v avtomobilu morate vedno nositi osnovne varnostne predmete. Drugi elementi so potrebni le v določenih situacijah. Na primer, če vozite tam, kjer je lahko sneg ali led, potrebujete snežne pnevmatike ali nosite snežne verige. Čeprav to ni potrebno, boste v primeru nesreče na zasneženi ali ledeni cesti, ki jih nimate, krivi za incident.
Kontrolni seznam za vožnjo v Nemčiji
- Vozniško dovoljenje ZDA (obvezno)
- Mednarodno vozniško dovoljenje (priporočeno)
- Dokazilo o zavarovanju (potrebno)
- ID/potni list (obvezno)
- Opozorilni trikotnik (obvezno pri vseh vozilih s štirimi kolesi ali več)
- Odsevni varnostni telovnik (obvezno)
- Komplet prve pomoči (obvezno)
- Odsevniki žarkov (potrebni, če žarometov ne morete ročno odkloniti)
Cestna pravila
Medtem ko so nekatera pravila v Nemčiji podobna tistim v Združenih državah, na primer vožnja po desni strani ceste, so številna strožja in uveljavljena tudi za kršitelje prvič. Naleteli boste na nekaj pomembnih razlik pri označevanju ulic in pravilih na semaforjih.
- Varnostni pasovi: Vedno pripnite varnostni pas, tudi če sedite v zadnjem delu avtomobila – v Nemčiji je to zakon.
- Otroci in avtomobilski sedeži: Otroci do 12. leta morajo sedeti zadaj, mlajši od 3 let pa otroški varnostni sedež. Dojenčki se morajo voziti v avtosedežih.
- Moteča vožnja: Govor ali pošiljanje sporočil prek mobilnega telefona je v Nemčiji nezakonito. Za pogovore med vožnjo pa lahko uporabljate prostoročno napravo.
- Alkohol: V Nemčiji ne pijte in ne vozite. Mejna vrednost alkohola v krvi je 0,5 grama na liter. Kršitelji morajo plačati visoke globe in lahko izgubijo vozniško dovoljenje. Kaznovanje je na splošno strožje kot v ZDA
- Speed limits: Speed limits in German cities are generally 50 kilometers per hour (31 miles per hour), though in limits in some inner residential areas are reduced to 30 kph (19 mph). On highways, you are not allowed to drive faster than 100 kph (62 mph) unless otherwise marked.
- Traffic lights: Germany uses a three-light system, but it is a bit different. Right turns on red lights are not allowed unless there is a green right-turn arrow, and yellow lights serve as a warning signal and are used before the lights turn green.
- School buses: Just as in the United States, you cannot overtake or pass a school bus that has stopped to let passengers on or off. Watch for the red flashing lights.
- Right of way: At crossroads, traffic coming from the right has priority. All drivers must give way to fire engines, ambulances, and police vehicles that are flashing their blue lights.
- Roundabouts: Traffic in a roundabout has the right of way, except when signs indicate otherwise. Drivers must use their directional signals before leaving the roundabout.
- Parking: If a vehicle remains in the same place for more than three minutes, it is considered to be standing (waiting) or parked. Standing and parking are usually allowed only on the right side of the street unless it is designated one-way. Cars can be towed if they are in violation of parking rules or signs.
Road Conditions
Roads are usually well-maintained in Germany and connect every corner of the country. While driving isn’t necessary for most major cities because of readily available public transportation, many Germans have a driving license, and drivers usually follow the rules. That said, traffic accidents, rush hour, and holiday times can cause massive delays (stau).
The German Autobahn
By the 1930s, the mayor of Cologne, Germany, Konrad Adenauer, had opened the first crossroads-free motorway in 1932 (now known as the A555 between Cologne and Bonn). More freeways, termed autobahns, were planned to be built, but during WWII, manpower, equipment, and supplies were directed to the war effort. The freeway medians were paved over to create airstrips, aircraft were parked in its tunnels, and the railways were used for transporting goods. The war left the country and the Autobahn in poor shape.
After the war, West Germany was quicker to get to work repairing the existing roadways and adding connections. The East was slower to repair, and some routes were only completed after German reunification in 1990.
Driving today’s Autobahn has its own unique customs and rules.
- Speed: On the Autobahn, you can drive as fast as you feel is safe (unless otherwise marked); the German authorities recommend a “suggested” speed of 130 kph (80 mph). There is no speed limit on the Autobahn, except where posted. For example, speed limits are posted in construction zones or in high traffic areas, so watch out for these signs—you can get a hefty ticket for speeding in restricted areas on the Autobahn.
- Passing: You can only pass another car in the left lane. The right lane is for slower vehicles, and overtaking cars in the right lane is illegal. Unlike in the United States, this is strictly adhered to.
- Look carefully: Before you pull into the left lane to pass another car, make sure to check the rearview mirror carefully—some cars travel as fast as 200 kph and approach very suddenly. If a car flashes its lights as it approaches from the rear, it means “get out of the way,” and you should move to the right.
- Stopping: You are not allowed to stop, back up, or U-turn on the Autobahn. And if you run out of gas, that is considered illegal (because you are not allowed to stop) and preventable.
- Take a Break: Driving the Autobahn can be intense, so consider stopping every 100 kilometers or so. The roads have been built with rest stops every 40 to 60 kilometers. In these service areas, you’ll usually find a gas station, restaurant, convenience store, and bathrooms.
Important Street Signs in Germany
In Germany, road directions are clearly marked with good signage. Most road markings are white, although any yellow markings have precedence. Cyclists may ride in marked bicycle lanes or Radweg. Drivers must stop at pedestrian crossings, called Zebrastreifen (zebra stripes) when pedestrians are waiting to cross. The police have blinking signs of Polizei Halt or police stop and Bitte Folgen, or please follow. Typical signs read:
- Ausfahrt: Exit
- Umleitung: Detour
- Einbahnstraße: A one-way street
- Parken verboten: Parking is forbidden
- Parkhaus: Parking garage
- Tankstelle: Gas station
- Benzin: Gas