A few laws to note about the German driving codes:

General:

There are no tolls to pay on German Autobahns

Strict drink driving laws, only allowing 0.5 per mil blood alcohol

Seat belts front and rear are required everywhere

No hand-held mobile phones are allowed while driving. You may pull over to the side of the road if you need to take a call!

To hire cars you’ll need to be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driving licence and a major credit card

Speed limits:

Speed limits are implemented rigorously, radar traps are frequent

City 31mph/50kph, two laned highway 62mph/100kph

Unless otherwise marked, most motorways (Autobahns) have no speed limit but 81mph/130kph is recommended

Driving license:

Every valid driving licence is accepted

Non-EU (European Union) members need an international driving license or an official German translation

Rules of the road:

If there is no policeman, no signal or no sign indicating the right-of-way, then right-of-way is always given to traffic approaching from the right – This also includes situations where main roads and small side streets cross at uncontrolled intersections

Driving is on the right hand side, overtaking only on the left side

Source: http://www.germanplaces.com/about-germany/tourist-information-germany/driving-on-german-autobahn.html

A glossary and list of signs commonly found on the German autobahn:
http://german.about.com/library/blauto_traf4.htm

http://www.gettingaroundgermany.info/zeichen2.htm

A great overview with a short history of the German autobahn:
http://www.gettingaroundgermany.info/autobahn.htm

German government analysis of traffic laws post-unification:
http://www.gtz.de/de/dokumente/en-traffic-safety-reunification-2006.pdf

A monologue for Americans trying to obtain a German driving license:
http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/a-germdl.html

Guide to receiving an international driving permit for those from the UK:
http://www.drive-alive.co.uk/international-driving-permit.html

Guide to receiving an international driving permit for those from the USA:
http://germany.usembassy.gov/germany/services/drivers_license.html

<%SHARE%>