Stay safe on the autobahn

The German Autobahn is widely known for stretches without a mandatory speed limit, but safe and legal driving there depends on a few important rules everyone must follow.

Keep right — stay in the right-hand lane unless you are overtaking another vehicle.

No passing on the right — overtaking on the right is prohibit-ed except in slow-moving traffic.

Check mirrors — always glance at your side mirror before moving into the left lane and look over your shoulder.

Signal every maneuver — use your indicators when changing lanes or overtaking.

No tailgating — following too closely is illegal and can incur a fine.

Observe speed guidance — many sections have limits; where no limit is posted, the recommended speed is 130 km/h.

Emergency lane formation: on three-lane highways, leave a clear lane between the leftmost lane and the lane to its right. On four-lane highways, drivers in the left lane move left while drivers in the other lanes move right to create a central emergency corridor.

Deutsch-Amerikanisches Bürgerbüro
German-American
Community Office
67657 Kaiserslautern, Lauterstr. 2
Phone: 0631 363-3010
Email: info@gaco-kl.de
URL: www.gaco-kl.de
Office Hours:
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Thu 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.