If you’re driving to Germany for work or looking to explore German culture on holiday, there are a number of rules you will need to follow. Our guide is designed to take the stress out of your trip by providing you with everything you need to know.
What driving licence do I need to drive in Germany?
Thankfully, if you hold a full UK driving licence you do not need to apply for another type before visiting Germany if you’re aged 18 and over.
International driving permits are recognised in Germany, but are not a legal requirement.
What documents are needed to drive in Germany?
Apart from taking your full UK driving licence, there are a few other documents that you will need to take with you on your trip. These include:
- Proof of ID such as a passport
- V5 registration document
- Car insurance certificate
- Emissions sticker
These will need to be carried with you when you drive, just in case you are pulled over by German police.
What about the new EU Entry/Exit system?
The new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now in place after a gradual launch in late 2025. It now means a new digital border system is in place to track those who are entering and leaving the Schengen area from non-EU countries. You will no longer receive a physical stamp in your passport.
EES checks became fully operational on April 10, 2026. You should note, however, that there are some things you will still need to do before travelling.
This includes registering your biometric details such as your fingerprints and a photo when you first arrive. Dedicated booths are set up at the port, and if you choose to travel through the Eurotunnel (now known as LeShuttle), your checks will be done before you leave the country. As this is an extra step, it’s wise to allow yourself extra time in case of delays as many people will be going through this process for the first time.
If you are travelling with children under 12, it’s worth noting that they will not need to provide fingerprints, but will still need their photo taken and to register for the EES.
Your EES record will last for three years and will be ‘re-verified’ when you cross the border. Be aware, you are not allowed to stay for more than 90 days in a 180-day period, regardless of whether you are travelling for pleasure or for work.
European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
While the ETIAS is yet to launch, it will be a new document that is meant to be coming in late 2026, although that could still change; at the time of writing, reports state it could arrive in early 2027.
ETIAS will be for UK citizens and other visa-exempt travellers. It is similar to an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which you might be familiar with if you have visited the USA.
Whilst not currently live, you should check to see if this is still the case before your journey or if it will come into effect by the time of your travels. Don’t leave it to the last minute as you will need to complete an online application in advance and pay a mandatory fee. You will not be able to do this at the port or LeShuttle terminal.
Those aged 70 and above, and those under 18, will not need to pay a fee, according to the official rules.
What do I need to drive in Germany?
Besides the legal documents you need to take whilst driving in Germany, there are other items you should be aware of when crossing the channel to our European neighbours, including mandatory ones.
If you’re driving through France to get to Germany, take a look at our guidance for driving in France.
Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
Motorists driving in Germany don’t need to pack a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaces the old European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but it’s certainly a good idea to.
GHIC offers similar protection for travellers as that afforded by EHIC when a UK resident is in the EU on a temporary stay, for business or pleasure. The GHIC will cover you in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and several other countries outside of Europe.
You can get your GHIC through the NHS website and it is free of charge. Travellers are advised to apply at least two weeks before their trip.
An important point to note is that this shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for regular travel insurance, which you should take out for protection in case of trip cancellations, emergency illness or injury, loss of luggage and delays.
The GHIC will allow you access to emergency and necessary state care.
Car insurance
If you’re driving in Germany, it’s always best to check your car insurance stays at a high level while you’re abroad. All UK car insurance policies provide the legal minimum of third-party cover abroad for the EU by law, so having fully-comprehensive cover in the UK does not mean the same level of cover will follow you across the border.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to check your policy before leaving, or even taking out fully-comprehensive cover for your trip.
Having fully comp insurance when driving in Germany will mean you are covered for any damage to your vehicle, vandalism, fire or theft, as opposed to having to pay for any repairs yourself with third-party cover.
We offer free European cover with the car insurance policies we find for you for up to 30, 60 or 90 days depending on your needs. You can also choose the level of insurance you need, including options for fully-comprehensive cover.
European breakdown cover
Sterling will help you find European breakdown cover that gives you 60 days’ breakdown cover while driving in Germany, in any one calendar year.
We can also arrange roadside recovery or a reliable home repair service, whether your car or van breaks down in the UK, Europe or further afield.
Check your satnav
It’s illegal in Germany and several other EU countries to use satnavs and other electronic equipment that can alert you to speed enforcement cameras. It’s recommended you switch it off before entering Germany if yours can provide such alerts.
Reflective jackets
You can be fined for not wearing a reflective jacket while walking on a hard shoulder or road in the event of a breakdown. It’s a wise idea to take a reflective jacket for any passengers you have and one for yourself too when you travel in Germany.
Warning triangle
A warning triangle is compulsory for every vehicle with four wheels or more.
Headlamp beam deflectors
Deflector stickers are needed to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers. You can buy deflector stickers from most car shops and, more expensively, at ferry ports and the Eurostar terminal. You may also be able to adjust the beam manually.
Bulbs, basic tools and other spares
It’s also advised that you bring replacement bulbs, belts, wiper blades, oil, water and other lubricants, along with the tools to fit replacement parts or top-up lubricant levels with you on your trip.
UK sticker
If your vehicle is registered in the UK you will need a UK sticker on your car. This used to be a GB sticker, but changed since September 2021, partly due to Brexit.
This is so German law enforcement can identify where the vehicle has come from.
Winter tyres
Winter tyres or all-season tyres are compulsory in Germany when driving in wintry conditions. The rules were introduced in 2010 for all motorcycles and vehicles.
First-aid kit
These are compulsory for anyone driving a four-wheeled vehicle registered in Germany. So if you plan on hiring another vehicle once you get there, you will need to ensure you have a first-aid kit with you.
Even if you’re driving your own vehicle, a first-aid kit can prove useful in the event you get injured on your trip or your car breaks down.
Crash helmets
Whilst it may seem like common sense, you will need to wear a crash helmet if you’re riding a moped or motorcycle. You will also need to have passing lights turned on at all times, even when riding in the daylight.
Low emission zone sticker
It is now a legal requirement for cars to have an emissions sticker (also known as a Umweltplakette) to enter some of Germany’s major towns and cities. The stickers are designed to help improve the air quality in certain areas and display how much pollution your vehicle emits. They cost very little, but the fines you receive for not displaying a sticker can be very expensive.
Drivers travelling through parts of Germany should now display a windscreen emissions sticker labelling how polluting their car is. The label will set holidaymakers back, but should you fail to correctly display one, you may end up with a big fine.
Germany uses a colour sticker system for vehicles – red, yellow and green – with many German cities now requiring cars to have a green sticker to enter into environmental zones, with red and yellow now phased out.
Some cities that have low emission zones could prohibit your car at certain times of the day, and depending on how much your vehicle pollutes, they could ban you from driving in the area altogether. You can find out where you will need an emissions sticker.
There are a number of cities that are affected by these stickers such as Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart, Hannover and Bonn. Each city has its own designated areas, emission standards and timings so make sure you check the specific area you’re travelling to.
These are often referred to as ‘Umweltzone’ on signs which signal the start of the environmental zone and they indicate which vehicles can travel within, similar to ULEZ in the UK. Before travelling within the country, it’s a good idea to download the ‘Green-Zones’ app which tells you where these areas are, which sticker you need and whether your vehicle qualifies to drive in the permitted zone.
The best places to apply for your sticker are the official state websites for the area you are travelling to, for example the Berline.de site for driving in Berlin.
What can’t I take in my car to Germany?
When visiting Germany, you’re not permitted to take any meat or products containing meat, milk or dairy products.
On top of this, you are not allowed to take vegetables, plants or fresh fruit, unless you are willing to pay for them to be inspected upon entry to the country.
If you require these items for medical reasons, then exceptions may be granted, but you will need to contact the embassy before you leave for your trip.
Are driving rules different in Germany?
Like most countries, driving rules have slight variants in Germany. For a start they drive on the opposite side of the road to us in the UK.
Below are some of the other differences you will encounter:
Overtaking
As a general rule of thumb, you will need to drive on the right and overtake on the left of a vehicle on roads that permit overtaking. However, if there is heavy traffic that has built up on two or more lanes in the same direction, you may overtake on the right.
Trams must also be overtaken on the right if they are moving, unless there is inadequate space to do so, then you may perform the manoeuvre on the left. If it is on a one-way street, you may overtake on either side, but note priority needs to be given to pedestrians alighting or boarding.
You may overtake a school bus that has stopped and is using flashing hazard lights in a built-up area to let students on or off, but only at a walking pace and with enough distance so passengers are not endangered. You will need to stop if a passenger is at risk and you cannot pass normally. You can’t overtake a school bus that is approaching a stop with its hazard lights either. These can be identified by their red flashing lights.
Seatbelts and car seats
Just like the UK, seatbelts must be used by everyone in the vehicle. If you have a passenger who is under 18, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure they are wearing one. Failing to do so will result in a fine of €30.
You may also be fined €60 plus a penalty point on your driving licence for a child not wearing a seatbelt, or being securely fastened in their car seat.
Children under the age of 12 and under 150cm in height will need a child seat.
Traffic light system
Germany still uses the three-coloured traffic light system we use in the UK, however they have one noticeable difference.
A red light with a green arrow pointing to the right will allow you to turn right on the condition that you have given way to other road users and pedestrians.
Who has priority when driving?
The priority rules for driving in Germany are also slightly different from those in the UK. As a general rule though you must give priority to vehicles coming from the right or on rails unless signs dictate differently.
And, similar to the UK, pedestrians on crossings and cyclists also have priority, as well as emergency vehicles that have flashing blue lights.
It’s also worth noting that roundabouts work the same way in Germany as they do in the UK in terms of giving way to traffic already circling. However, keep in mind that you will travel anti-clockwise, due to the nature of driving on the opposite side of the road.
Buses and school buses have priority when leaving a stop, and you must give way when a bus has signalled its intention to leave said bus stop.
Towing a camper or caravan in Germany
Your campervan, or a car with a caravan, must not exceed more than 12 metres in length, 2.55 metres in width and four metres in height. The combined length of the car and caravan can’t go above the maximum of 18.75 metres, although German domestic law restricts vehicle combinations to 18 metres. It must also have two foldable side rear-view mirrors.
If the caravan contains expensive or unusual items, an inventory is required. When towed by a private car driver with a Category B driving licence, a car can tow a trailer with a combined Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) for the car and trailer of 3,500kg.
Parking
Parking is slightly different in Germany. If a vehicle is stationary for more than three minutes, it will be classified as parked.
You are not allowed to park anywhere with a ‘parking prohibited’ sign, on taxi ranks, in narrow roads with low visibility, less than ten metres from traffic lights, on the curb facing oncoming traffic, within 15 metres of a bus stop, in front of properties or within five metres of crossings and intersections.
If you are parking at night, you should ensure your vehicle is illuminated in the front and rear on a public highway. However, in built-up areas, this rule does not apply to cars and motorcycles if they’re sufficiently illuminated by street lighting, or if parked in an authorised parking place. Trailers must always show lights.
Failing to park properly can result in a fine between €10 and €35. The cost to retrieve a vehicle that has been impounded can reach €300.
What happens if I get fined whilst driving in Germany?
Since Brexit, German authorities can no longer send your camera fines automatically to your UK address if you’re caught speeding. This is because the data-sharing agreement between the UK and the EU has now ended. However, this doesn’t mean you can break the law of the country you are visiting. The driving laws should always be followed.
German police can instead hand out on the spot fines and can seize your vehicle if you refuse to pay or can’t pay the fine.
What to do in an emergency in Germany when driving
Emergency telephones are linked to an SOS line, similar to the UK, and are installed every two kilometres along the motorways.
You can also dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you’re visiting. Operators can answer your call in English.
Speed limits in Germany
Germany, like most countries in Europe, uses the metric system for all of their road signs, meaning speeds will be measured in km/h instead of mph like in the UK.
General speed limits in Germany are below, but road signs may indicate the actual limit, so always keep a look out:
- Built-up areas are 50km/h (31mph)
- Outside built-up areas between 90km/h (55mph) and 100km/h (62mph)
- City roads 30km/h (18mph)
- Motorways 130km/h (80mph) – this is an advisory speed limit. Enforceable mandatory limits apply where there are specific speed limit signs
- Motorways and dual carriageways may not be used by vehicles that cannot reach a minimum speed of 60km/h (37mph).
Speed limits are also lowered when it’s raining and other adverse weather conditions, while special restrictions apply for certain classes of vehicle, including coaches, motorhomes, mopeds and cars with trailers.
Vehicles that are equipped with snow chains must not exceed 50km/h (31mph).
Speeding fines in Germany
Speeding fines in Germany work differently than the UK and other countries within Europe.
Instead of being charged a flat fee, you will be fined depending on how far over the speed limit you are and which road you are driving on.
Fines range from €20 for exceeding the speed limit by less than 10km/h on a motorway to €800 and a driving ban for travelling 70km/h faster than you are supposed to in a built-up area.
It’s also illegal to have a GPS system that tells you where speed cameras are on the roads in Germany. If you have one, or are using an app on your smartphone to do so, you must deactivate this feature.
Who can hire a car in Germany?
To hire a car in Germany you must be 18 years old, although the minimum age may go up depending on the type of car you are looking to use.
You must also own a full UK driving licence and provide a secondary method of ID such as a passport. It’s also worth noting that most rentals will not lend you a vehicle unless you have been driving for at least one to three years, and may ask you for a credit card to make the deposit.
Driving rules in Europe may have changed since this article was updated in August 2026. Please check official government sources before travelling. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal or travel advice. While we aim to keep information up to date, we can’t guarantee its completeness or full accuracy.
European car insurance and breakdown cover
If you’re planning on driving in Germany you will need to ensure you have the right European car insurance to give you peace of mind.
Sterling can help you find a car insurance policy for every sort of car, van and campervan, with EU cover available. Call us on 0344 381 9990 for a quote or request a callback at a time better suited to you.