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Tips for Expatriates

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You and Your Car
Tips For The Road
Deciphering Parking in Germany

Like I said on the other page, I recently reworked this series of articles for the American Women's Club of Cologne. Some tips I got off the Net and some I learned from studying for the theoretical and practical tests for my German driver's license (which I passed - in German - with flying colors thank you very much. Hey, that was a big accomplishment and I was really proud of myself!). Unlike some of you, I unfortunately had to shell out a fortune for a German license because Ohio doesn't have a reciprocity agreement with the German government. So maybe my suffering can be put to good use and avoid a traffic accident.

You and your car

[Driver's license]  [Registering and testing your car]  [TUV Inspection]
[Vehicle Exhaust Emission Test (ASU)]  [Insurance]  [Rules of the road]
[Useful contacts]

Your experience of driving in Germany will be colored 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 (see below). 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 license

You should obtain a German license within your first year of residence as delaying it past that time can make you subject to extensive and expensive local regulations. I found out the hard way when I was pulled over by the police when I got confused and ended up driving the wrong way down a one-way street. The police were very friendly and helpful though, and I only had to pay 150 DM fine for driving the wrong way and not having a "valid license". I kept insisting my license was valid, since it was still valid in the States, but they informed me of the one-year rule. Oops. That's another tip: if you are pulled over act like you don't understand the rule. I knew that I shouldn't be driving on my American license - but they didn't know that. I had hoped that my leaving Germany to go to the US for a month had reactivated the one-year rule, but that too was not the case.

You need to take the following documents with you to the license authority:

Your Ausweis and driver's license will be sighted and returned immediately to you. It takes about two or three weeks to issue a German license. You must attend in person to apply for a license and one again to pick it up, showing your Ausweis.

If you have held a license for less than two years, you must comply with local regulations on trial driving licenses and register your license with the local licensing office within three months of establishing a permanent residence in the country. This license has full validity - and if you commit certain traffic offences you will be made to take part in a driving improvement course.

The US has a state-by-state agreement with the German government. If the US state recognizes a German driver's license you can automatically transfer your license over. If you are like me and come from a state that does not have this agreement, you will have to pass the theoretical and practical driving tests before you can apply for a license. This is an expensive process, but the license is good for life. Also, if you can't get your driver's license changed over in your first year in Germany, you will have to reapply from scratch in the German way. This costs more than DM 1,200 for obligatory lessons in road safety and regulations.

Registering your car

Drivers should carry the title to their vehicle (Fahrzeugschein) with them at all times. However, the registration document should not be left in an unattended vehicle.

New cars are put through the TUV Inspection to make sure they meet German specifications before then can be issued with German license 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. Then 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 authorization). An Ausnahmegenehmigung is required for each detail that does not comply with German regulations.

Cars must display the "D" Deutschland decal when traveling outside Germany.

All cars must be equipped with:

TUV Inspection

All vehicles must be inspected once every two years by the Technical Inspection Association (TUV). It costs approx. 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 license 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 license plate. The test must be specifically requested but can be carried out by any TUV station or authorized 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.

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 license 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

 

Tips For The Road

Driving in Germany is not much different from driving in many other countries. Folks drive on the right, and international signs like "stop" and "yield" are used. For tourists arriving from the United States, there are a few key differences that you should be aware of and that they probably will not tell you about at the rental car agency or your place of employment.

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 license. Your car insurance will be invalid if you have an accident while over the blood alcohol limit. The limit is the approximate equivalent of two drinks. I never drink more than one drink if I am going to drive, but it is wisest to abstain completely.

Right Before Left
This is really important and probably the major difference between driving in Germany and in the United States. When you approach an intersecting road (either a crossroad or a street that merely intersects on one side), if there is a car approaching from the road to your right, that car has the right-of-way. By the same token, when you approach an intersection and a car approaches you on your left, you have the right of way (you are on his right). But use caution-- that other driver could be a tourist or someone who simply had their license changed over ;-)!

There are, of course, exceptions. If you see a road sign with a yellow diamond at that intersection, you are on a priority road and do not have to yield. You also do not have to yield if your road is "defined." This is done with either a white painted line or inset rectangular "kerb" stones running along the right edge of the roadway, delineating your road from any streets that might intersect it. Kerb stones are used predominantly when the road is intersected along a curve.

"Right before left" occurs most frequently in small villages and in residential areas. You will find few stop or yield signs in these areas as the "right before left" rule governs the intersections. In the bigger towns and cities, signs and traffic lights fulfill the role.

Pedestrians have right of way as soon as they step onto the crosswalk. Cyclists have right of way on a bike path.

No Right Turn On Red and The Green Arrow
Unlike most states in the United States, you are not allowed to make a right turn on a red light. There is one exception: the green arrow. This handy little arrow was taken over from former East German rules. If your light has a green arrow attached underneath it, you are allowed to turn right on read - provided there is no pedestrian crossing the road. The green arrow has been the cause of quite a bit of controversy recently, and there has been talk to abolish it altogether. Some intersections in Cologne had the green arrow and recently took them down. The basic rule of thumb is "if you see a green arrow you can turn right on red as long as you make sure there are no pedestrians around".

Blinking Yellow Traffic Light
In Germany, a blinking yellow traffic light does not give you right-of-way. In some areas where traffic drops off dramatically in the evening or on weekends, traffic lights will either be turned off; or one road will be given a blinking yellow light, while the road intersecting it has no light at all. In any case, please remember that a blinking yellow light does not mean "proceed with caution." A blinking yellow light means you must stop to allow traffic to cross your street. Think of it as a glowing "Yield" sign.

The Autobahn
Unless posted otherwise, the recommended speed on the autobahn is 130km/hr (just over 80mph). This is merely the recommended speed. You may drive as fast as your nerves, your passenger's nerves, your particular car, and the road conditions allow. If you're yearning for speed, however, be aware that many sections of the autobahn do post speed limits. In particular, you'll rarely be allowed to travel over 120 kmph in the former East Germany, where the roads are in sad repair and a massive rebuilding effort is ongoing. The A8 between Munich and Stuttgart has numerous speed restrictions, through some semi-mountainous terrain and again through farmland areas that are prone to heavy fog.

Though some people still do flash their headlight at you in a gentle hint to get your car over into the right lane, this is actually illegal. Germany's Miss Manners would tell you that the proper way to alert the driver in front of you that you would rather see them in your rearview mirror is to put on your left blinker. In other words, you would like to pass them on the left, and since there is no lane there, would they kindly provide you with one. I have noticed drivers who are still several kilometers behind me turning on their left blinker. They tend to close the distance pretty rapidly. And unlike in the States where passing on the right isn't really legal, but rarely looked on as a major offense, in Germany it's really illegal and just isn't done.

Flash! Say "cheese!"
If you're driving along and suddenly see a flash, the German police have just taken your picture. Rather than use manpower setting speed traps, the wily Germans simply set up cameras. By the time you see the two little boxes-- one on either side of the road-- that are measuring your speed, it's too late.

I have been told that if you don't receive a speeding ticket within three months you probably won't be getting one. I am still waiting for my latest ticket from Nov. 11 and am hoping the camera had run out of film by the time my photo was taken. Hey, it can happen…

Last but not least - Honoring Other Drivers
Giving the finger or tapping your head (as in "Are you crazy??") is illegal in Germany and can get you a visit from the police if the other driver reports you. There has also been a lot of talk about making gestures to the police when they take your picture or measure your speed. The police do not look too kindly on such gestures and take them extremely seriously. Fines are quite steep, so try to restrain yourself from making such gestures in the first place.

 

Deciphering Parking in Germany

Driving and parking in Germany is no small feat. The rules can be quite confusing. Since I am one of the "privileged few" who had to pay a total of 1300 DM to get my German driver's license (both tests - in German - and all the other hoop-jumping one has to go through), I like to think I know the rules fairly well. I got some of these tips from the Internet and embellished them. Hope they help you avoid getting the dreaded "Knöllchen" (parking ticket).

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. Be sure to park in the direction of the flow of traffic. It may appear that people park anywhere and anyway they want, but I got a ticket for parking opposite the flow of traffic once - and I had been parking there for close to three years!

When you park your car in Germany, there are four ways you will most commonly pay for the privilege.

The Parkschein (parking pass)
A Parkschein is a parking pass that you buy when you park your car and is necessary when you see the big white "P" on a blue background followed by the sign "nur mit Parkschein" (only with a "parkschein"). First you have to find the little machine. The front will tell you how much time you get for your money. The more touristy or urban the area, the more expensive the parking. Cologne being a bit more pricey, you should expect to pay approx. 1 DM per half hour depending where you are. Pop in the coins and watch the little digital readout. It will tell you the time your Parkschein will expire. Keep popping in coins until it reads as late as you would like to stay. Also see how late you are required to have a Parkschein -- it may only be required until 14:00 or 18:00 (2 pm or 6 pm). Don't press the green button until you're sure the time reads as late as you would like it to read. There is no option for "adding on" to your time. Once you press the green button, you're committed. You can't add a piece of paper to add another hour on. When you're satisfied with the time on the machine, press the green button and take the little white piece of paper. Set this on your front dash so it can be clearly viewed through the windshield.

The Kassenautomat (automatic cashier)
This is similar to what Americans are used to. The Kassenautomat is generally used in covered parking houses (signified by the giant white "P" with a little "roof" over it) and at airports. You drive up, pick up your little ticket (some more advanced parking garages now pass out plastic coins, which I think is kind of a neat, environmentally-friendly idea), and park. The difference is when you leave. There is no little booth with a person who has dedicated his/her life to helping you pay for your parking (or - as my sister recently witnessed in Cleveland - talking on her cell phone to a girlfriend and barely giving the management there a reason to pay the woman's salary. But I digress…). Instead, you go to the Kassenautomat before you get into your car. Pop your little parking ticket in the slot that says "Hier Ticket entschieben" (stick your ticket in here). The readout will then tell you how much you owe. Pay it (some machines will take paper bills as well as coins), and you will get back a different little ticket. If you need a receipt, press the button "Quittung" right after the new little ticket appears. The receipt will appear directly after. You have a 10-15 minutes grace period between paying your parking fee and leaving the garage. When you drive out of the lot, you will pop your new ticket into the exit gate, and you are on your way.

The Parkuhr (parking meter) and the Parkscheibe
The Parkuhr operates in Germany pretty much the same way it operates in the United States. Pop your money in and make sure you get back in time. If, by some fluke, your Parkuhr is broken, be sure to put your Parkscheibe (keep reading to find out what it is) in the windshield. It will save you getting a ticket. (Note: Don't try this if the Parkuhr isn't broken. Germans simply don't have a sense of humor with that kind of thing.)

The Parkscheibe is the best option of all, because it's free! A "Parkscheibe" is a little card (usually blue) with a round cardboard clock dial that lets you turn it to indicate what time it is when you park. You set it to the next half hour (if it's 10:40, set it for 11:00) and leave it on your dash where it can be seen through the windshield. You then have free parking for whatever time the sign on the pole tells you. Be sure to get the cardboard Parkscheibe before you take advantage of one of these spots -- the fine for parking without one is anywhere from DM10 to DM50. You can buy one for just a few DM in just about any gas station.

The Colorful, Circular Parking Signs
If you are anything like me you always wondered what the round signs are with a blue background and a red border and either a big red cross or diagonal slash through them. Turns out these signs are telling us not to park here. A sign with a cross lets you know you should not park here under any circumstances. A sign with a diagonal slash allows limited parking for 3 minutes only to load or unload your car. If the sign has a white arrow within the cross it tells you where the section begins and ends. Otherwise the parking ban is valid for the lane you are in until the next intersection.

Any questions about something I might have forgotten? Feel free to contact me at jrs@REMOVEjill-sommer.com.

© Jill R. Sommer, March 2001.