How to drive on the autobahn

Think of the word ‘autobahn’ and what mental image springs to mind? Chances are that it's either a certain hypnotic groove by German synth pioneers Kraftwerk… or a luxurious German saloon cruising down a well-maintained motorway, with no care for the speed limit.

Yes, as many motorists know, the autobahn system – Germany's motorway network – has certain sections where no speed limit is in place. That, according to your driving personality (and the car you drive), probably either sounds quite exciting or somewhat frightening.

After all, this one oft-cited fact about the autobahn may make it seem something of a motorists' Wild West, where drivers can hare along at any speeds they like. To the more careful among us, this may not sound like a place we want to be. Plus, if you're the proud owner of a classic car, you may well not be that interested in high speeds anyway.

We don't know many Austin Allegro or Morris Marina drivers who regularly push their cars north of 100 miles per hour. Your modern classic car insurance provider might have something to say about behaviour like this, too.

So, let’s look a little closer into the facts and myths behind the autobahn, including its famous unrestricted zones. And, while we're here, we'll run through the history of Germany's motorway network.

It is, as we will see, intimately bound up with that country's turbulent experiences during the 20th Century. Strap in, then, for our whistle-stop tour through the past and present of the autobahn. After we've run through its history, we'll share some tips for safe and legal driving on Germany's motorways.

This will include ensuring that your modern classic car insurance is equipped for adventures in the UK and beyond.

The autobahn: an introduction

If you find yourself driving in Germany, we'll wager it won't be too long before you steer your classic onto a section of autobahn. That's because there is, frankly, quite a lot of it.

A comparison with British roads here is interesting. Statistics from the RAC for 2021 showed that motorways make up some 2,300 miles of the total UK road network of 247,800 miles – a little under one per cent of the total. By contrast, Germany's motorways compose 12,996 kilometres (8,075 miles) of that country's 229,890-kilometre (142,847 mile) network.

That's a percentage of 5.6 per cent. So yes, motorways make up a significantly higher proportion of Germany's total road infrastructure than they do here.

There are, though, some essential similarities between Germany's motorway network and our own. For example, the autobahnen (to give them their plural form) are managed by the government. Or, to be precise, the Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur, or Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

Here in England, our motorways are maintained by Highways England, a government agency. The South Wales Trunk Road Agent, similarly a government agency, runs South Wales' motorways, while Transport Scotland performs the role north of the border.

History of the autobahn, part 1: beginnings

A German high-speed road network was first discussed way back in the 1920s. This makes Germany something of a pioneer in developing motorways.

Only Italy and the USA can claim to have got there first: Italy opened its first autostrada, from Milan to Varese, in 1924, while the first North American freeways sprouted up around New York during the 1920s.

Germany, for its part, started work on its first controlled-access autobahn (without speed limits) in 1932, between the cities of Cologne and Bonn. It may not quite have got there first, but Germany soon made up for lost time, rapidly constructing a motorway network during the 1930s.

Here in Britain, by contrast, we were still much more influenced by the railway network, and did not build our first motorway, the Preston Bypass (later M6), until 1958. You can read more about Britain's first forays in motorway construction, by the way, in our feature on the M1's 60th birthday.

That delay in the 1920s was down to a lack of both funding and political support. This situation changed, however, with the rise of the Nazi party from 1933 onwards. Adolf Hitler was a big fan of the motorway, and indeed of anything that was likely to put Germany out in front in terms of economic supremacy: and he strongly backed the construction of larger, faster roads.

Germany's motorway network grew at an impressive rate: from just 18 kilometres in 1932, to 3,301 km in 1939. One year in particular, 1937-38, saw an astonishing 2,000 kilometres of new fast roads laid down.

History of the autobahn, part 2: wartime and beyond

Hitler may have been a big autobahn enthusiast, but when war came the progress of construction slowed dramatically. That was partly down to wartime petrol shortages, but also because the Nazi party in general preferred to rely on the country's extensive rail network for movement of troops and material.

Like much else happening in Germany at the time, the autobahnen have a slightly dark chapter during the War: with most of the German workforce busy either in the military or in the factories, the baton of motorway construction was taken up by forced labourers and concentration camp inmates.

Work inevitably slowed down.

In fact, as the war wore on, the motorways saw less and less use, and many existing sections were repurposed as temporary airstrips. By 1945, only 2,400 miles of autobahn were completed from the Nazis' self-imposed target of 12,000 miles.

Worse, much of what had been completed had been damaged by Allied bombs.

However, Germany (or West Germany, at least) famously recovered quickly from its defeat in World War Two, becoming Europe's industrial superpower. The autobahn network was just one of the sectors to reap the benefits of this resurgence. Construction resumed, and at a pace.

The West German government ploughed money into the network – both into the repair of damaged sections, and the construction of new roads.

Over in Communist East Germany, the situation was somewhat different: the country's autobahn sections were relatively neglected, in comparison with those in its Western neighbour, until German reunification in 1990.

Today's autobahn network is, of course, a model of efficiency, with a huge and dedicated workforce of construction workers and engineers maintaining the system, plus a specialised police force making sure things are running smoothly at all times.

What’s it like to drive on the autobahn?

If you type the word autobahn into YouTube, you'll be met with hundreds of videos of drivers attaining speeds of more than 200mph on these well-maintained roads. Yes, Germany's motorways, and in particular those sections with no mandatory speed limit, are something of a mecca for thrill-seekers who want to really put their cars through their paces.

In fact, those sections do have advisory speed limits in place. Where no general limit exists, that advisory speed limit is 130 km/h or 81 miles per hour.

This limit is not legally enforceable, so if you’re detected going above that speed in these areas you will not find yourself in legal difficulties. However, if you’re involved in an accident while driving at higher speeds, you may be deemed at least partly responsible, due to what's termed your "increased operating danger".

Given that, you may then find either that you have difficulty making a claim on your modern classic car insurance policy, or that your premiums rise.

But how do these unrestricted zones impact on the network's safety?

Well, statistics do show that fatalities on Germany's motorways are slightly higher than they are here in Britain, with the autobahn network witnessing 30.2 fatalities per 1,000km of motorway, compared with 25.5 here in Britain.

However, we should note that that figure for Germany is broadly similar to the British number. And, following on from that, we can also say that driving on German motorways is not all that different to using our own network, those unrestricted sections one obvious difference.

For example, many sections of autobahn employ speed limits that are roughly comparable to ours, while driving conditions are very similar much of the time.

Another factor that should reassure you is that German driving licences are fairly demanding to obtain – hoops to jump through include an eye test, first aid course, and enrolment on a driving course, as well as the usual practical and theory tests. This means that the drivers who will be sharing the autobahn with you should, very broadly speaking, be fairly competent.

Speed limits on the autobahn

So, back to those speed limits. In fact, although the autobahn is famed for having no speed limits, this is not quite true.

It's not that far off, however: a recent survey found that around 70% of the network is unrestricted. In these sections, indicated by a white sign with four black lines diagonally across it, car drivers may travel at whatever speed they choose – although the advisory limit, as discussed above, is in place throughout.

Other classes of vehicles, besides cars, will have their own fixed limits even in these unrestricted zones.

The rest of the network does have limits – whether permanently enforced, or introduced under certain conditions or at certain times of the day. Permanent speed limits are denoted by a white circular sign with a red outer ring, with the speed limit displayed in kilometres within the white circle.

Some sections, meanwhile, will have variable or 'conditional' speed limits, imposed for example during bad weather, road accidents or times of peak congestion. Check overhead matrix signs for temporary changes here.

Let's look at the speed limits, where they are imposed, in more detail.

These are:

• Buses carrying standing passengers, plus motorcycles with trailers: 60kph (37mph)
• Vehicles (except passenger cars) with maximum allowed weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes; passenger cars and trucks with trailers; buses: 80kph (50mph)
• Passenger cars with trailers certified for 100kph; buses certified for 100kph: 100kph (62mph)
• All other vehicles (advisory): 130kph (81mph)

Who is allowed to drive on the autobahn?

So, can you make your way straight from Britain and start zooming down the autobahn? Well, yes, as long as you have the correct paperwork (including some modern classic car insurance that's valid for EU travel) and a few essential items in the vehicle with you.

The general requirements for using the German motorway network are as follows:

• You must carry a valid UK driving licence with you at all times while on the road.
• You'll also need another proof of ID, such as your passport.
• You must also have your vehicle's V5 registration document with you, as well as some valid insurance.
• You must not have been disqualified from driving, either in Germany or in your home country.
• You must conform to all German restrictions and legislation around driving. This includes, for example, wearing whatever glasses you require for driving.
• You must be 18 or over to drive in Germany.
• You can bring your own car into Germany: vehicles from the UK can be imported into the country for up to half of any 12-month period.
• All UK vehicles must carry a UK identifier - this can be on the number plate or as a sticker.

Note that from August 2021, you haven’t needed a green card to drive in Germany.

Advice for driving safely on the autobahn

Those daring 200mph dashes may make the headlines and dominate the social media and YouTube channels. However, it must be remembered that, for the vast majority of drivers in Germany, the autobahn is simply an efficient road network for getting around the country.

If you’re planning to use the network, you can help to keep it safe by taking a few simple but important steps, just as you would on our own domestic motorways.

The most obvious examples of good motorway driving behaviour are to respect other drivers around you, concentrate on the road, and adhere to the rules – both permanent and temporary.

Also, of course, be aware that you may encounter other cars travelling at very high speeds, and make allowances for this. For example, if you have to change lanes to overtake, be aware that that car visible some way behind you in your new lane may arrive faster than they would on a UK motorway.

Here are 7 top tips for safe, responsible use of the autobahn, courtesy of the experts over at AutoExpress:

1. Drive in the right-hand lane

   The German motorway system has a very similar rule to our own, with the one notable exception that everyone is driving on the right. So, where in Britain you should always keep to the left lane unless overtaking, in Germany your default position should be in the right lane, apart from those moments when you need to change places in order to pass another vehicle.

2. Overtake on the left

   When you do need to overtake, do so on the left. Again, this is similar to, but opposite from the rules here. In both cases, overtake by moving towards the central reservation. As we mentioned just now, check your rear-view mirror carefully before you overtake, as there could be a very fast-moving vehicle coming up behind you in your new lane. And, just as you would do here, return to your original lane once you have completed your overtaking manoeuvre.

3. Remember your basic driving test rules
   

   Do you remember ‘mirror, signal, manoeuvre’ from your driving lessons? That crucial three-step process – check mirrors, signal your intentions, make your manoeuvre – is, if anything, even more crucial on German motorways where cars may be moving very fast.

4. Stick to the speed limit where they exist

   As we've seen, much of the network is not controlled by mandatory speed limits for cars – the limits in these areas are only advisory. However, a small but significant proportion of the autobahn system is subject to permanent speed limits, and it goes without saying that you should obey these. Limits are common on sections surrounding cities and other popular destinations. Keep an eye out for both speed limit signs to the side of the carriageway, and digital update boards overhead.

5. Take a break

   Make sure you stop every two hours or so to break up the monotony of motorway driving. The autobahn network has a very good system of service areas. These are typically spaced out every 40-60 kilometres. Typically, these will feature a filling station, restaurant, shop, telephones, and toilets.

6. Watch out for emergency vehicles
   

   Just as in the UK, make way for emergency services by pulling over when it’s safe to do so, or making a gap for the services to get through.

7. Bring a few essentials with you
   

   You’ll need to carry a warning triangle in your modern classic if you’re travelling in Germany. A first aid kit is only compulsory for four-wheeled vehicles registered in the country but it’s a good idea to have one on board anyway, just in case.

You may also need headlamp beam deflector stickers, unless your car allows you to adjust the beam manually. Luckily, headlight converter stickers are easy to get hold of, and should cost around £10.

Finally, you'll need winter or all-season tyres if you're driving in wintry conditions. Germany has some mountainous areas, particularly in the south of the country, so be prepared for this if you'll be travelling through high ground during colder months.

If you’re heading to Germany, or indeed planning any significant road trips, during the winter you may want to read our useful advisory feature on preparing your classic for winter driving.

Failure to have any of these essentials in the car with you could land you into trouble with the German transport police.

It could also invalidate your modern classic car insurance policy in the event of a claim.

Modern classic car insurance – a crucial support, wherever you're heading

Whether you're planning to take your classic for a spin on Germany's iconic motorway network, or just for a blast on your favourite local B-road, you need some specialist modern classic car insurance to protect your beloved vehicle.

Contact us for a quote today.