United States → Germany
Driving in Germany when you know the US
Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.
What to check before you drive in Germany
These are the key destination rules to check first. The comparison below shows every verified difference. Follow local signs and instructions on the road.
- Which side of the road do you drive on in Germany?
- In Germany you drive on the right.
- What is the speed limit in Germany?
- No general limit on motorways, no general limit on dual carriageways, 100 km/h on country roads and 50 km/h in towns and cities. Those are the national default limits, which apply where no sign says otherwise.
- What is the drink driving limit in Germany?
- The legal limit in Germany is 0.5 g/l. 0.5 Promille. From 1.1 Promille driving is a criminal offence, and below 0.5 you can still be liable if driving is visibly affected. Drivers who passed their test recently are held to 0 g/l.
- What do you have to carry in your car in Germany?
- You must carry a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest and a first aid kit.
Read the full driving rules in Germany and the required car equipment in Germany .
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Rental agencies often have their own rules on driving ages and equipment, make
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What's different (1)
Emergency number
Good to knowUS · 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 (33)
Speed limit on the motorway
Varies by regionUS · 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 regionUS · 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 regionUS · 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 regionUS · 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
US · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destination
- Warning triangle
- High-visibility vest
- First aid kit
Which side you overtake on
US · 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
US · 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
US · 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
US · 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 regionUS · 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 regionUS · 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
US · 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
US · homeNot yet verified
Age below which a child needs a child seat
US · 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
US · 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
US · 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
Helmets on a motorbike or scooter
Varies by regionUS · homeNo single national answer:
TexasRequired for rider and passengerRider and passenger. A person aged 21 or over may ride without a helmet only if they have completed an approved motorcycle safety course or hold health insurance that covers motorcycle injuries. Police may not stop a rider just to check this.Checked 2 Sep 2026
CaliforniaRequired for rider and passengerDriver and any passenger, on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or moped.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Germany · destinationRequired for rider and passengerRider and passenger must wear a suitable helmet on any motorbike or moped built to go faster than 20 km/h. Not needed where the vehicle has seatbelts and they are worn.Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
Largest motorbike or scooter you may ride on a car licence
Varies by regionUS · homeNo single national answer:
Texas
- Engine up to 50 cc
- Power up to 5 hp
- Top speed up to 30 mph
CaliforniaNone — you need a motorcycle licenceA car licence (Class C) covers no moped or motorcycle. A moped (top speed 30 mph, under 4 brake horsepower) needs a Class M2 licence or endorsement; anything larger needs Class M1. One exception: the holder of a California licence of any class may ride a rented moped for up to 48 hours without the M2 endorsement.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Germany · destination
- Engine up to 50 cc
- Power up to 4 kW
- Top speed up to 45 km/h
What a rider must wear or carry
Varies by regionUS · homeNo single national answer:
CaliforniaNothing beyond a helmetThe DMV Motorcycle Handbook says the only item required by law is a DOT-compliant helmet. Eye protection, jacket, gloves and boots are recommended, not required.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Germany · destinationNothing beyond a helmetOnly the helmet is required by law. Protective clothing is strongly advised, and courts may reduce compensation after a crash if none was worn.Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
How you pay for motorways
US · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destination
- None
Alcohol limit for professional drivers
Varies by regionUS · 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
US · 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 regionUS · 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
US · 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
US · 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
US · 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
US · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destination
- A junction — 5 m
Youngest age you may ride the smallest class of scooter
Varies by regionUS · homeNo single national answer:
Texas15 yearsFrom 15 a person may hold a restricted Class M licence for motorcycles of 250 cc or less, which also covers a moped. The restriction lifts at 16. An ordinary car licence, which covers mopeds too, is issued from 16.Checked 2 Sep 2026
California16 yearsRiders under 21 must first complete a training course and hold an instruction permit for six months.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Germany · destination15 yearsUntil the 16th birthday the AM licence is valid only inside Germany.Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
Riding between lanes of slow traffic
Varies by regionUS · homeNo single national answer:
TexasNot allowedSince 1 September 2023 a motorcycle may not be ridden between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, or pass a vehicle inside the same lane. Two motorcycles may ride side by side in one lane.Checked 2 Sep 2026
CaliforniaAllowedLane splitting, riding a two-wheeled motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles, is legal. The Highway Patrol publishes safety guidelines, which are advice rather than law.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Germany · destinationNot allowedWeaving between queued vehicles counts as overtaking on the right, which is banned. Passing on the left is allowed in theory but needs a full safe side gap, which a traffic jam rarely leaves. Using the emergency corridor (Rettungsgasse) is banned.Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
Smallest motorbike allowed on the motorway
US · homeNot yet verified
Germany · destination
- Top speed at least 60 km/h
Headlights on a motorbike in daytime
Varies by regionUS · homeNo single national answer:
TexasRequired at all timesAt least one headlamp must be lit whenever a motorcycle is ridden. Motorcycles made before model year 1975 are exempt.Checked 2 Sep 2026
CaliforniaRequired at all timesA motorcycle first registered from 1978 must have a headlamp that switches on with the engine and stays lit while the engine runs.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Germany · destinationRequired at all timesDipped headlight or daytime running lights must be on in daylight.Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
Low-emission zones
US · 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
US · 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 (2)
- Which side of the road you drive on — Right official source
- Whether you need an International Driving Permit — Depends on where your licence is from official source