Safety on German motorways: collecting your car from Germany

This article is dated as shown. Laws, fees and prices have changed since then. Check the figures before you rely on them.

Collecting your purchased car from Germany during public holidays or the long school holidays.

Especially when they are just beginning, be prepared for busy autobahns and a high likelihood of traffic jams. At Easter and Christmas there are always many cars on German roads. This applies particularly to the start of the holidays and to the days when they end. Many people use the holiday period as a short break and drive from Germany to various countries. In this article we have collected the main rules of conduct on Germany's autobahns and federal roads, so that taking your car out of Germany does not seem complicated.

Warn others about a traffic jam.

Everyone has of course seen a traffic jam suddenly appear ahead. They are often announced on the radio, but not everyone listens. The best option is not to take that road at all, but if you do see a traffic jam ahead of you, warn others with your hazard lights. Such a warning is mandatory under § 16 of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO). Usually we see the braking cars ahead switch on their hazard lights as they slow down; we repeat this action and warn the drivers behind us of the danger.

If you have missed the last exit.

Turning around or reversing on the autobahn cannot be used as a way to get out of a traffic jam. The amounts of 200 and 240 euros mentioned earlier refer to the text of 08.04.2018; the current penalty requires checking the specific offence and the rules in force.

Remember the emergency corridor.

Many people who come to Germany to collect their car are not always familiar with the emergency corridor. The importance of the emergency corridor was demonstrated at the beginning of July. A coach caught fire on the A9 motorway. 18 people died and 30 people were seriously injured. The fire service arrived within ten minutes. It could have reached the scene of the accident even faster. A rescue route that was too narrow cost valuable time. Always keep the corridor clear for rescue services, police and recovery vehicles. Unfortunately, some road users are unaware of this because they do not know how to form an emergency corridor properly. Some also assume that they can use the rescue route for themselves and drive along the emergency corridor.

This is how it works. Cars and lorries in the left-hand lane keep to the left edge of the left lane, while vehicles in all other lanes move to the right. The emergency corridor is always formed between the left-hand lane and the lane next to it. This way even fire engines can pass unhindered through the middle of both lanes.

In Germany, flashing blue lights together with a loud siren may only be used when urgent action is needed to save human lives, to prevent serious injuries or to avert danger.

Flashing lights and a loud siren trigger a reflex in many road users to clear the way for the emergency services. However, this reflex action needs to be channelled rationally so that a usable corridor is created.

The article of 08.04.2018 reported a tougher fine for failing to form an emergency corridor and named the amount of 200 euros. This is a historical report, not a complete list of the penalties currently in force. Do not obstruct the passage of the emergency services.

Always watch your speed. In an emergency you should always stay calm. A shove, a honk or an irrational driving style can lead to unintended contact with other vehicles and to an accident.

Even when traffic has stopped, getting out is prohibited.

During a traffic jam, many passengers get out of their cars. This is prohibited on motorways even in a traffic jam. Anyone who leaves their vehicle when it has been stationary for a long time should do so only with the utmost care. Especially at the tail end of a traffic jam, approaching vehicles, particularly lorries, may brake too late. Everyone can imagine the consequences. Anyone stuck in a tunnel should switch off the engine after a short time. This reduces emissions and the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

We hope you will never need this information and that you bring your new car home from Germany without any obstacles!