Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. Germany: Key Differences
When venturing from Antigua and Barbuda to Germany, understanding the stark contrasts in road regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Antigua compared to the right in Germany, varied speed limits, and specific traffic protocols. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
antigua and barbuda:
Left
germany:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
germany:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
antigua and barbuda:
Use leftmost lane.
germany:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
germany:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
germany:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
germany:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
germany:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
germany:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
germany:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
germany:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
germany:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
germany:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
germany:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
germany:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
germany:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
germany:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
germany:
Common
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Indicates the light is about to change to green |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
germany:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
germany:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Mandatory, every 2 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on rear license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
germany:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
germany:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Can be substantial, varies by offense |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
germany:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
germany:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
germany:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
antigua and barbuda:
Signal left when preparing to exit
germany:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
germany:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
germany:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
germany:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
germany:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points in some cases | €30 to €60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | €90 to €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
germany:
€30 to €60
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
germany:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
germany:
Common
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay