Rules of the Road · Verified August 2026

Driving Laws in Germany

Everything a visitor needs before driving in Germany — which side to drive on, the alcohol limit, national speed limits and licence requirements.

right

Driving Side

steering wheel on the left

0.05

BAC Limit (g/dL)

general drivers

—

Motorway Limit

see note below

recommended

Intl. Driving Permit

for foreign visitors

Speed Limits

National Default Speed Limits

Urban / Built-up

50 km/h

Rural / Open Road

100 km/h

Motorway / Highway

—

Note: No general motorway limit — advisory 130 km/h.

Defaults only — posted signs always override national defaults. Laws verified August 2026; rules change, so confirm with an official source before you travel.

Alcohol & Driving

Drink-Driving Rules in Germany

General limit: 0.05 g/dL · Novice/young drivers: Zero tolerance

Reaction time, judgement and night vision all degrade well below any legal threshold — the only limit that guarantees safety is 0.00. Alcohol is a factor in a large share of the world's fatal crashes, and enforcement in Germany can include checkpoints, licence loss and jail.

Live Tracking

Germany on the Live Map

Germany has a WHO-estimated 3.7 road deaths per 100,000 people. See live accident reports and full statistics for Germany.

Before You Go

Emergency Number

Save Germany's emergency number before you drive — find it in our worldwide emergency numbers directory. And check your rental's tires with the tire age checker.

Nearby

Driving Laws in Neighbouring Countries

Luxembourg Netherlands Czech Republic Belgium Liechtenstein Austria

Questions

FAQ

Which side of the road does Germany drive on?

Germany drives on the right-hand side of the road (like most of the world).

What is the drink-driving limit in Germany?

The general limit is 0.05 g/dL BAC (novice/young drivers: zero). Remember: impairment starts well below the legal limit.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Germany?

An IDP is recommended rather than strictly required for most visitors to Germany — but rental companies and police may still ask for one, and it is cheap insurance.

Is it safe to drive in Germany?

By the numbers, Germany has a WHO-estimated road death rate of 3.7 per 100,000 people (global average about 15), which is among the safest countries in the world to drive in — it ranks 180 of 195 countries from most to least deadly. Traffic drives on the right. Most road deaths anywhere happen at night, at higher speeds and on rural roads, so plan long drives in daylight and follow the posted limits.