Driving in Germany vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Welcome to our comprehensive comparison of driving regulations between Germany and the United Kingdom. Discover key distinctions, such as driving on opposite sides of the road, differing speed limits, and unique traffic signaling practices. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring safe and confident travel in these two distinct nations.
Lanes
| Germany | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
germany:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
germany:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
germany:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
germany:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
germany:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
germany:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
germany:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
germany:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
germany:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
germany:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
germany:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Germany | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
germany:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Germany | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
germany:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
germany:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Germany | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Germany | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
germany:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Germany | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
germany:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
germany:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Germany | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
germany:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay