Driving in Germany vs. Tunisia: Key Differences Explained
When exploring road regulations, understanding the nuances between Germany and Tunisia is crucial for ensuring safe travels. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signals. While Germany boasts a more structured approach with dedicated cycle and bus lanes, Tunisia features unique road etiquette and driving protocols that every visitor should heed.
Lanes
| Germany | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Not typically permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
tunisia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
tunisia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
germany:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
germany:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
germany:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
germany:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Germany | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Not typically used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
tunisia:
Not typically used
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Germany | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Germany | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
germany:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
tunisia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Germany | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
germany:
112
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay