Driving — Germany
What travelers need to know about driving in Germany. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Driving in Germany: restricted — there are real limits travelers must follow.
Seat belts are mandatory in both front and back seats, and children under 12 may not ride in the front and must use a child safety seat.
EUR 30 fine; an accident with belts unfastened can invalidate your insurance.
§ US Embassy GermanyVerified Jul 22, 2026
Most major German cities have low-emission zones (Umweltzonen) you may enter only with a green Umweltplakette emissions sticker displayed on the windscreen.
About €80 fine for driving in a zone without a valid sticker.
§ German Federal Ministry for the EnvironmentVerified Jul 26, 2026
Germany's blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 mg/ml (0.05%) for standard drivers, but there is a total alcohol ban (0.0) for novice drivers in their probation period, drivers under 21, and professional drivers.
Over the limit brings fines and licence withdrawal; from 0.3 mg/ml you can be penalised if your driving is impaired or you crash.
§ EUVerified Jul 22, 2026