For up-to-date information on driving in Germany, read Expatica article Driving and parking in Germany (updated 18 March 2010)

Your experience of driving in Germany will be coloured by your own motoring background. If you come from a lightly policed regime like, say, South Africa, you will find it tightly controlled. If you come from a driving culture where drinking and driving is largely a thing of the past you might find that while local laws are tough, local practice is fairly easy-going. But that is an observation, not advice. The legal limit is low and the penalties high. And wherever you come from there will be times on the autobahns when you will think: "How !?$!!/* fast was he going?!?" While having none of the swirling individualism to be found in warmer southern climes, Germany's traffic has its own character and it is certainly not short of rules and regulations. Driver's licence You should obtain a German licence within your first year of residence as delaying it past that time can make you subject to extensive and expensive local regulations. You need to take the following documents with you to the licence authority: Passport/Ausweis (identification papers) - originals and copies Your existing driver's licence - original and copy Certified translation of your driver's licence - original and copy One photo Completed application form Certificate stating when first licence was issued - original and copy An eyesight test - obtainable from all optometrists Certificate showing you have taken part in a first aid course Your Ausweis and driver's licence will be sighted and returned straightaway. You can get a certified translation of your licence from the ADAC or other government recognised translators. First aid courses are available at your local Red Cross station (Rotes Kreuz) It takes about two or three weeks to issue a German licence. You must attend in person to apply for a licence and one again to pick it up, showing your Ausweis. If you have held a licence for less than two years, you must comply with local regulations on trial driving licences and register your licence with the local licensing office within three months of establishing a permanent residence in the country. This licence has full validity - and if you commit certain traffic offences you will be made to take part in a driving improvement course. The driving licence authority in Berlin is at: Landeseinwohneramt
Referat Fahrerlaubnis
Puttkamerstr. 16-18
10969 Berlin - Kreuzberg
Tel: 699-5 Open: Monday-Wednesday 7.30am-2pm; Thursday 7.30am-1pm; Friday 7.30am-12 noon. Registering your car Drivers should carry with them the title to their vehicle (Fahrzeugschein) at all times. However, the registration document should not be left in an unattended vehicle. New cars are put through the TUV Inpsection to make sure they meet German specifications before then can be issued with German licence plates. This can be a long process with foreign cars. The vehicle must be taken to the KFZ Zulassungsstelle (automobile permit office) to identify ownership. The it must be taken to an inspection agency before returning to the KFZ Zulassungsstelle to have it registered. Foreign cars are rarely passed without needing at least one Ausnahmegenehmigung (special case authorisation). An Ausnahmegenehmigung is required for each detail that does not comply with German regulations. The address for registering cars in Berlin is: Landeseinwohneramt Referat Kraftfahrzeugzulasstungsstelle Juterbogerstr. 3 10965 Berlin Tel: 699-5 Cars must display the "D" Deutschland decal when travelling outside Germany. All cars must be equipped with: A triangle caution sign A first aid kit, available from the ADAC or German service stations TUV Inspection All vehicles must be inspected once every two years by the Technical Inspection Association (TUV). It costs DM 58.50 for the inspection and DM 38.20 for re-rests after a failed inspection. Inspection is certified by a decal affixed to the rear licence plate. The number in the small circle indicates the year that the car is next due for inspection. The outer circles shows the number of the month in which the vehicle is due for inspection. Before an inspection, you should have a dealer or local service station check your car and repair any defects. Vehicle Exhaust Emission Test (ASU) This must be passed every year during the month of the TUV Inspection, whether or not an inspection is due that year. American-style cars with an American style CAT need go only every two years. The emissions test is certified by a hexagonal decal on the front licence plate. The test must be specifically requested but can be carried out by any TUV station or authorised service garage. It can cost up to DM 62, exclusive of any necessary repairs. Vehicles that pass the test are issued with an ASU certificate, which must be carried with your registration document. Insurance A registered vehicles must carry third-party liability insurance. Every accident must be reported immediately to the insurance company. Rules of the road Speed limits: 50kmh in cities and tows; 100km on the highway unless otherwise marked. There is no speed limit on the Autobahn, except where marked. A top speed of 130km is recommended by the authorities, however. The minimum speed on the Autobahn is 70kmh. Seat belts and airbags: The use of seat belts is mandatory in both the front and back seats. There is a fine of DM 60 if you are found with your belt unfastened. In the event of an accident, your insurance could be invalidated. Children under 12 are not allowed to ride in the front seat of the car. This carries a DM 60 fine. Drinking and driving: It is illegal to drive a vehicle if your alcohol blood level is 0.05 per mil or higher. You risk a fine or DM 3,000 and the loss of your licence. Your car insurance will be invalid if you have an accident while over the blood alcohol limit. Right of way: Vehicles coming from the right have right away, unless indicated otherwise. Pedestrians have right of way as soon as they step onto the crosswalk. Cyclists have right of way on a bike path. Parking: Parking is generally permitted on streets, unless indicated to the contrary. Signs will show whether parking or standing is allowed, and whether you must park with two or four wheels on the pavement. A parkscheibe is sometimes used. This is available in service stations and is for use in marked areas of limited by un-metered parking. This disc is set to indicate at what time you parked in a space and is displayed under the windscreen. Accidents: When you have or witness an accident you must stop immediately; take steps to provide for traffic safety; switch on your emergency flashlights; or in the case of minor damage move your vehicle to the side of the road. You must assist any injured and call the police. Do not leave the scene for any other reason. You must co-operate with police and show them and those involved in the accident your identification card, automobile registration, driver's licence and insurance card. Useful contacts ADAC Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobile Club: 8686-0
ADAC Emergencies: 01802-22 22 22
ADAC Emergency Road Service (24-hour assistance): 19 211
Traffic Report: 0 11 69