Vignette in Germany The price of a vignette in Germany, where to buy a vignette in Germany, toll roads in Germany
- In Germany, transit for most vehicles is still free.
- Tolls on motorways are only subject to trucks with a total mass of more than 7.5 tons.
- Tolls are still being negotiated for all vehicle categories, and German motorways are free.
It has not yet been officially determined when German motorways will be tolled. The price of a motorway vignette is likely to depend on the engine size and emission class of the vehicle. The motorway toll will be electronic, and drivers will be able to get it online, in a mobile application or at the border with Germany. The stamps are expected to be valid for 10 days, two months and one year.
Motorcycles, electric vehicles, CNG and LPG must have free access to German motorways. As well as people with a ZTP and ZTP/P card.
A ten-day toll on the motorway will range from 25€, a monthly fee from 7€ to 50€. The annual fee for the motorway will cost up to 130 € Drivers of diesel vehicles will pay extra for the brand, and the volume and class of emissions will also be reflected in the price.
Comparison of prices for 2-litre car rims for passenger cars
| Petrol, Euro 4 and 5 | Diesel, Euro 4 and 5 | Gasoline and diesel, Euro 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 days | 4 € | 14 € | 25 € |
| 2 months | 11 € | 30 € | 50 € |
| 1 year | 40 € | € 100 | 130 € |
Tolls for trucks over 7.5 tons are paid automatically using the on-board device or by pre-paying for the selected route in the terminal, mobile application or on Toll Collect .
Some vehicles are exempt from motorway tolls. This includes buses, electric vehicles, circus and amusement rides, fire engines, police and state security vehicles. Exemption from payment is provided for vehicles running on natural gas until 2023. A detailed list of vehicles exempt from tolls on German motorways can be found at Toll-Collect.de .
Karat of motorways and highways in Germany
An up-to-date map of German motorways can be found at Toll-Collect.de .
Sections paid by a special fee
In Germany, only the passage of the two tunnels Herren and Warnow is paid. Drivers who drive through tunnels more often will receive favorable monthly rates.
- You will pay 2.10€. for driving through the Herren Tunnel. A detailed overview of Harren Tunnel fees can be found at HerrenTunnel.de .
- In the period from November 1 to April 30, you pay a fee of 3.60 € for driving a car through the Varna Tunnel and in the period from May 1 to October 31, 4.40 €
- An overview of tariffs for the Varnova tunnel can be found at Warnowquerung.de .
Driving fines in Germany
In 2021, a new scale of fines was introduced in Germany, which increased the amount of fines for traffic violations and speeding.
Germany has a points system that also applies to foreigners. The point is to record the so-called penalty points in the central register of drivers.
If a driver scores 8 demerit points, his driver’s license will be cancelled. True, a driving ban is issued for a given country, that is, in Germany.
The driver can apply for the return of a driving license in Germany no earlier than 6 months and after a medical psychological examination.
Penalties for certain offenses
- Travel on red – up to 360 € (and the possibility of a driving ban for 1 month)
- Travel without wearing seat belts – 30 €
- Failure to provide priority while driving – up to 100 €
- Dangerous overtaking on the motorway – up to 100 €
- Violation of the reservation for the use of a mobile phone – 60 €
- Failure to create or untimely creation of the so-called “rescue alley” – up to 320 € (and the possibility of a driving ban for 1 month)
- Overtaking – 70 €
- Overtaking on a confusing section (for example, in front of the horizon) -100 €
- Failure to maintain a safe distance – 70 €
- Driving while intoxicated ranges from 0.5 to 1.09 ppm – 500 € (and the possibility of a driving ban for 1 month)
Speeding fines in Germany
In Germany, fines have recently been tightened (mostly by half). In particular, the government promises to reduce piracy and better protect cyclists and pedestrians.
Speeding in built-up areas
- 1-10 km / h: € 30
- 11-15 km / h: € 50
- 16-20 km / h: € 70
- 21-25 km / h: € 115
- 26-30 km / h: € 180
- 31-40 km / h: € 260
- 41-50 km / h: € 400
- 51-60 km / h: € 560
- 61-70 km / h: € 700
- over 70 km/h: 800 €
Speeding outside built-up areas
- 1-10 km / h: € 20
- 11-15 km / h: € 40
- 16-20 km / h: € 60
- 21-25 km / h: € 100
- 26-30 km / h: € 150
- 31-40 km / h: € 200
- 41-50 km / h: 320 €
- 51-60 km / h: € 480
- 61-70 km / h: € 600
- over 70 km/h: 700 €
In Germany, anti-radar detectors are prohibited, both passive and, of course, active. This feature must be disabled in GPS navigation.
The German police are consistent in their application and this should not be discussed with them. It often does not impose high fines, but if the situation requires it (usually in anticipation of a larger fine), it is uncompromising, and the lawsuit against the driver can be violated. In this case, the police have the right to take the car.
In the event of administrative (personal participation) proceedings to which you are entitled, your vehicle may be impounded again after the required security deposit has not been paid. There are a lot of policemen here, again, you should not break the rules.
Speed limits in Germany
- City: 50 km / h
- Outside the city: 100 km / h
- On the highway: 130 km/h (on the part of the speed is not limited at all)
Mandatory car equipment in Germany
Required equipment must include:
- Reflective vest
- warning triangle
- First aid kit
The motorcycle rider and passenger are required to wear a protective helmet.
Tires
Winter tires are mandatory when the roads are covered with snow or ice without a time limit.
From 2018, only those marked with the snowflake symbol are considered winter tires. Until September 30, 2024, old tires (manufactured before 2018) marked M+S (mud and snow) can also be used. The minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, but 4mm is recommended.
Studded tires are prohibited. Snow chains are mandatory on some mountain roads. On snow chains, you can drive at speeds up to 50 km/h.
In winter, only winter mixture should be in the washers.
Seat belts
In Germany, seat belts are mandatory on all seats equipped with them. This obligation also applies to buses.
Children in the car
In Germany, the use of child car seats is mandatory for children up to 150 cm or 12 years of age.
Children under 150 cm or 12 years of age should not sit in the front seat.
Alcohol while driving
The maximum permitted amount of alcohol in the blood for car drivers is 0.5 ppm. But this does not apply to everyone. For professional drivers, drivers under 21 years of age and drivers with a driver’s license less than 2 years old, there is a zero tolerance for alcohol in the blood.
Driving under the influence of alcohol can be fined from 500 € to 1500 €, as well as a long driving ban and, of course, demerit points.
Daytime Running Lights
All-day lighting obligations only apply to motorcycles. Other vehicles may or may not burn.
The obligation of light extends in twilight and darkness, as well as in poor visibility (bad weather) and in tunnels, even if they are lit.
Convoy rules in Germany
In the event of a traffic collapse and the subsequent formation of a column, drivers are required to create emergency corridors for vehicles in the integrated rescue system, the so-called rescue passages.
In practice, this means that vehicles on the left side of the road should drive as far to the left as possible, and vehicles on the right should drive as far to the right as possible. The parking lane must not be blocked at the same time.
Failure to create or untimely creation of the so-called rescue alley can lead to a fine of up to 320 € and at the same time a driving ban period per month.