Travel Resources > Travel & Driving Information > Germany > Driving Information

Car Rental Germany : Driving Information

Driving Overview | Insurance Information | Rental Restrictions

Information
Germany Home
General Information
Driving Information
Car Rental Fleet Guide
Airports
Hotels
Other Countries
Services in Germany:
Airfare
Car Rentals
Luxury Cars
Chauffeurs
Motorhomes
Hotels
City Info
Frankfurt
Munich
Driving Overview

General Information
Germany was the first country in the world to develop a national system of superhighways, and for many years its Autobahn system was a model for other nations. After unification, Autobahns in the eastern part of the country were significantly upgraded. Today Germany has nearly 6,000mi/9660km of Autobahns and an extremely well developed network of lesser highways. This makes driving a rental car in Germany exceptionally easy and pleasant, and the German network is interconnected with networks in neighboring countries. Germany is about 500mi/805km long (from north to south) and 400mi/644km wide in its longest dimensions.

Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old (age may vary by car rental category) and have held your license for 1-3 years depending on the rental car category reserved. Drivers age 18-22 must purchase CDW. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. Child safety seats are mandatory for children up to age 12. Seatbelts are mandatory.

Speed Limits
Speed limits in Germany are as follows: City 31mph/50kph, Open Roads 62mph/100kph and on the highways 81mph/130kph is recommended but most autobahns have no speed limit.

Rules of the Road
Traffic travels on the right and streetcars do not have the right of way. They should be passed on the right on a two way street and on either side on a one-way street. Avoid the far left lane on the autobahn as speeds can often exceed 100mph/161kph.

Gas
Most gas stations are open from 8am to 8pm. There are stations open 24 hours in some major cities and on the autobahn.

Tolls
There are no toll highways in Germany.

Parking
Parking is allowed only on the right side of the road except on one-way streets where both sides are valid. Parking spaces with meters are usually free of charge at night.

Top
 
Insurance Information

General Information
Car rental insurance varies widely, so please review the information below prior to making your reservation. Regulations of the country where you rent the car will be in effect for the duration of your rental.

All our car rental rates include fire and third party liability insurance. Our inclusive rates also provide collision and theft coverage at an advance purchase discount. You may elect to decline collision and theft coverage. If you plan to take advantage of coverage offered by your credit card, please contact your card issuer directly for details. Specific insurance information for your reservation will be printed on your confirmation voucher.

The following guidelines apply to rentals commencing in Germany.

Required Coverage
Fire and third party liability insurance is mandatory and is included in all rentals. Third party liability insurance offers US$6,480,000 in case of injury or death to people outside of the rental car and unlimited coverage for property damage outside the rental car. Fire insurance is also included in the rate.

Optional Coverage
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and theft protection are included in our inclusive rates at a discount. CDW, if purchased at the rental counter, costs approximately US$30 – US$42 per day. Theft protection, if purchased at the rental counter, costs approximately US$9 - US$14 per day. CDW and theft coverage reduce the deductible (responsibility of the client) to US$425 - US$1,500. Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) is available at the rental counter for approximately US$5 - US$9 per day. Super CDW may be offered locally to reduce the deductible as low as zero. Optional insurance coverage is available with select suppliers only, rates subject to change without notice.

Top
 
Rental Restrictions

General Information
Most car categories can be driven anywhere in Western Europe without restriction. Due to insurance regulations, there are restrictions on luxury car categories and on travel in certain countries. Auto Europe has special rental programs for driving into Eastern Europe. Please take a minute to ensure that your intended itinerary will be possible with the car you plan to rent.

Restricted Countries
Cars rented in Germany are allowed into the following countries when arrangements are made in advance with Auto Europe: Belarus, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Herzegovina, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and Yugoslavia.

Please advise us to which countries you plan to travel.

Luxury cars are not allowed into Italy.

NOTE: For an additional fee, travel into most or all of these countries can be arranged for specific car categories with advance notice.

One-Way Rentals
Domestic one-way rentals are unrestricted and free of charge. There are fees for international one-way rentals and not all vehicles are allowed.

Top
Useful Terms

Detour
Umleitun
Diesel
Diesel
Entrance
Eingang
Exit
Ausgang
Forbidden
Verboten
Four Lane Highway
Landstrasse
Gasoline
Benzin
Motor oil
Motor oel
No parking
Parken verboten
One-way
Einbahn
Police
Polizei

Embassies

United States Embassy in Berlin
Neustaedtische Kirchstrasse 4-5
10117 Berlin
Phone (+49) 030-83050

United States Embassy Consular Section
Clayallee 170
14169 Berlin
Phone (+49) 030 832-9233
Fax (+49) 030 831-4926

United States Consulate General Dusseldorf
Willi-Becker-Allee 10
40227 Dusseldorf
Phone (+49) 0 211 788-8927
Fax (+49) 0 211 788-8938

United States Consulate General Frankfurt
Siesmayerstrasse 21
60323 Frankfurt Am Main
Phone (+49) 069 7535-0
Fax (+49) 069 7535-2277

United States Consulate General Hamburg
Alsterufer 27/28
20354 Hamburg
Phone (+49) 040 411 71-00
After-hours Phone (+49) 040 411 71-300
Fax (+49) 040 41 32 79 33

United States Consulate General Leipzig
Wilhelm-Seyfferth-Strasse 4
04107 Leipzig
Phone (+49) 0341 213-840
After-hours Phone (+49) 0341 213-8413

United States Consulate General in Munich
Koeniginstrasse 5
80539 Munich
Phone (+49) (089) 28880
Fax (089) 280-5163
Dial the telephone numbers in parentheses (long-distance access code 0 plus the city code) only if calling from German locations outside the city. The Consulates General in Dusseldorf, Stuttgart and Leipzig currently offer only emergency services to U.S. citizens.


Call 1-888-223-5555 toll-free | Email Directory | Car Rental Guides
Get the latest travel deals with our RSS feed. Download Auto Europe RSS Feed | More Info

Concerned about privacy? Please read our Privacy Policy
Site contents © 2008 Auto Europe unless otherwise noted.
Site Map | Unsubscribe from our newsletter.

ASTA Green Member ASTA Member BBBOnline - Click For Info
Home | Specials and Packages | Car Rental | Flights | Hotels | Rail | Cellphones | Resources | Agents and Affiliates

Auto Europe USAuto Europe CanadaAuto Europe Australia

Auto Europe has been ARC-accredited and is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel: Registration No. ST-36099
Auto Europe is certified as a Travel Agent/Tour Promoter in Ohio: ID Number: 8789303
Auto Europe is registered as a travel agency in Iowa: Travel Agency Number 868
California Seller of Travel # 2058065-50    ERSP # 54-46344-1
Nevada Seller of Travel #2007-0059
Washington Seller of Travel #608 733 167
Registrations pending in Hawaii and Ontario, Canada.
Web Site Terms & Conditions

— Page generated: 03-Dec-2008 01:29:23 ET —