United States → Germany
Driving in Germany when you know the United States
Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.
What's different (1)
Emergency number
Good to knowUnited States · home911Checked 3 Aug 2026
Germany · destination112112 for fire and ambulance. 110 reaches the police.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Known on one side only (27)
Which side of the road you drive on
United States · homeNot yet verified
Speed limit on the motorway
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
Texas75 mphThe commission may set 80 or 85 where the road is designed for it — the highest signed limits in the country.Checked 3 Aug 2026
California65 mphThe general maximum unless 70 is posted.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Germany · destinationNo general limitNo general limit for cars. 130 km/h is the official recommendation, and going faster can mean sharing liability after an accident. Signed limits apply on many stretches.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Speed limit on country roads
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
Texas70 mph — about 113 km/hThe statutory maximum unless the commission raises it for a numbered highway.Checked 3 Aug 2026
California55 mph — about 89 km/hOn a two-lane undivided highway, and for anything towing a trailer.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Speed limit in towns and cities
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
Texas30 mph — about 48 km/hThe default through an urban district unless zoned otherwise.Checked 3 Aug 2026
How much alcohol you may have in your blood
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
California0.08 % BAC — about 0.8 g/lChecked 3 Aug 2026
Germany · destination0.5 g/l0.5 Promille. From 1.1 Promille driving is a criminal offence, and below 0.5 you can still be liable if driving is visibly affected.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
What you must carry in the car
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destination
- Warning triangle
- High-visibility vest
- First aid kit
Which side you overtake on
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destinationLeftPassing on the right is only for vehicles turning left, and for trams.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Speed limit on a dual carriageway
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destinationNo general limitRoads with structurally separated carriageways have no general car limit, like motorways. The 130 km/h recommendation applies. Signed limits are common.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destination0 g/lZero alcohol for the two-year probationary period and for anyone under 21.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Youngest age you may drive
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destination18 years17 is possible only in the accompanied-driving scheme, within Germany.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Holding a phone while driving
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
CaliforniaNot allowedChecked 3 Aug 2026
Germany · destinationNot allowedThe device may not be picked up or held at all. Head-mounted displays are banned.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Turning at a red light
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
CaliforniaAllowedAfter a complete stop at the limit line, yielding to pedestrians, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Germany · destinationOnly where a sign allows itOnly where a green arrow plate (Grünpfeil) is mounted beside the red light, only turning right, and only after a complete stop.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Priority to traffic coming from the right
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destinationYes — traffic from the right goes first at unmarked junctionsRight before left at any unsigned junction, including small residential ones.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Who must wear a seatbelt
United States · homeNot yet verified
Age below which a child needs a child seat
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destination12 yearsA child needs a seat until age 12, unless already 150 cm tall.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Height below which a child needs a child seat
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destination150 cmA child shorter than 150 cm needs a seat until age 12.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Winter tyres
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destinationRequired whenever the road is icy or snowyCondition-based, not date-based: winter tyres (3PMSF) are required whenever there is snow, slush or ice on the road, at any time of year.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
How you pay for motorways
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destination
- None
Alcohol limit for professional drivers
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
California0.04 % BACCommercial vehicles, and passenger-for-hire driving.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Germany · destinationNot yet verified
When you must switch your headlights on
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destinationNot requiredRequired for motorcycles only. Cars need lights at night and in poor visibility.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Hands-free phone calls
Varies by regionUnited States · homeNo single national answer:
CaliforniaAllowed, with restrictionsAdults may use hands-free mode. Drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Germany · destinationAllowedVoice control and mounted devices with brief glances are allowed.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Who has priority at a roundabout
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destinationTraffic already on the roundabout goes firstWhere the roundabout sign is posted, traffic on the circle has priority and you must not indicate on entry — only on exit. An unsigned circle falls back to right-before-left.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Parking on the pavement
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destinationOnly where signs or markings allow itOnly where a sign or marking explicitly allows it.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Parking facing against the traffic
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destinationOnly on one-way streetsPark on the right edge in the direction of travel; one-way streets allow the left.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
How far you must park from a junction or crossing
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destination
- A junction — 5 m
Low-emission zones
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destinationIn many citiesAround 39 Umweltzonen, including Berlin, Munich, Cologne and Stuttgart. A green windscreen sticker is required, including on foreign cars — order it before travelling.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Whether police can fine you on the spot
United States · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destinationYesMinor offences up to 55 euros can be settled on the spot as a warning fine. Larger fines are billed — but drivers without a German address can be required to pay a security deposit immediately.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Same in both (1)
- Whether you need an International Driving Permit — Depends on where your licence is from official source