The Zipper Rule

Story & graphic by German-American Community Office

The German “zipper rule” (Reißverschlussverfahren) is a simple but very important traffic rule that often confuses English speaking drivers. Here is a clear, native speaker friendly explanation with practical examples.

What the zipper rule means

The Zipper Rule requires drivers to merge in alternating order when one lane ends. Think of two lanes closing into one: one car from the open lane, one car from the closing lane, one from the open lane, one from the closing lane — just like the teeth of a zipper.

Why it matters

• It keeps traffic flowing efficiently
• It prevents long queues in one lane
• It is legally required under German traffic law (StVO §7(4))

How to do it

• Use the full lane until it ends
• Merge at the designated point
• Alternate fairly with the continuing lane
• Signal clearly and maintain steady speed

Common misunderstandings

• It is NOT rude to drive all the way to the end of the closing lane. In Germany, that is the correct behavior.
• Early merging is discouraged because it creates unnecessary bottlenecks.
• Blocking the closing lane (to prevent others from passing) is illegal and considered aggressive driving.

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.