The proximity of Germany is one of the arguments for a vacation trip to this country in your own car. Are you planning such a trip? Find out if there are tolls on Germany’s motorways and roads. We also tell you how to prepare for a road trip in Germany.
Toll roads and autobahns in Germany
In 2020, the road network in Germany was 13,191 km. The good news for drivers planning to visit the country by car is that Germany’s roads and highways are free for cars, with the exception of driving through two car tunnels.
Toll tunnels in Germany:
- Warnowquerung – this 790 m long car tunnel connects the eastern and western banks of the Warnow River.
- Herrentunnel is an 866 m long car tunnel that runs under the Trave River. At the same time, it is part of the national road B75, which connects Lübeck with Travemünde.
Depending on your destination, you may not pay tolls on German roads.
Road tolls in Germany
Car drivers don’t have to worry about tolls on roads and highways in Germany – however, there is a toll to drive through the aforementioned road tunnels. What expenses do you need to prepare for?
The toll for the tunnel depends on both the type of car and the time of year. For one pass through the Warnowquerung car tunnel you have to pay:
- 3.60 euros – from November 1 to April 30,
- EUR 4.40 – from May 1 to October 31.
Car owners who have chosen the RFID device pay less for using the tunnel (€2.84 for the whole year).
The price list for traveling through the Herrentunnel is simpler – the fee depends only on the type of vehicle. Car drivers pay 2.10 euros when paying in cash. Residents who regularly use this road can reduce the cost of travel by purchasing a one-year pass.
Vignettes in Germany
Since driving on roads and highways in Germany is free for car drivers, vignettes are not applicable . In the case of toll roads passing through the aforementioned tunnels, drivers can purchase a subscription.
Auto equipment in Germany
The Federal Republic of Germany is one of the countries that ratified the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. What does this mean for drivers in terms of car accessories? The German police cannot fine a driver from Poland for the lack of equipment required in Germany – it is enough that the driver has car equipment that meets the regulations in force in Poland.
The above rule is important because there are differences between the mandatory equipment of a vehicle registered in Poland and Germany. The common point is the warning triangle , in turn:
- a car first aid kit is mandatory in Germany – you can get a fine not only for its absence, but also for inappropriate equipment,
- In Germany, a car fire extinguisher is not required, but in Poland, for example, it is mandatory.
In Germany, car owners are recommended to have reflective vests . They are useful, among other things: in the event of a breakdown on an unlit road.
Preparation for going on the road should also include checking the technical condition of the car and the validity of civil liability insurance.
Germany – the most important traffic rules and speed limits
No matter how long the route you plan to drive through Germany, you should know the most important traffic rules. This is worth remembering:
- both pedestrians and cyclists always have the right of way,
- when crossing road tunnels, use low beam headlights,
- children up to 150 cm tall must use child seats,
- the permissible rate of alcohol content in exhaled air is 0.5 ppm – however, this does not apply to young drivers (under 21 years of age, with less than 2 years of driving experience),
- Winter tires should only be used when the weather conditions require it.
When using German roads, drivers must remember the speed limit. For light vehicles, they are as follows:
- 50 km/h – populated place ,
- 100 km/h – expressways,
- 130 km/h – highways*.
For the highway, the recommended speed is 130 km/h. So this is not the maximum speed you can go.
Read also: How to apply for a license in Germany?
Important phone numbers for traveling in Germany
Are you afraid of problems on the road? It is worth preparing for such a situation in advance by writing down the most important phone numbers.
Important phone numbers in Germany:
- 110 – police,
- 112 – fire department,
- 19222 – emergency medical assistance.