Football fans planning a trip to Germany for the Euros have been warned about major driving laws and regulations.
Travel insurance comparison experts at Quotezone.co.uk have researched the eight crucial driving differences in Germany, so Brits avoid being caught out on the road trip of a lifetime.
Over 2.7 million tickets will be available to the fans of participating teams and the general public, and it is estimated 800,000 British fans could head across the channel for the competition.
Fans planning to hire a vehicle to make the most of their trip have been warned to research the local driving laws and motoring etiquette.
Motorists risk penalties such as large fines, penalty points and even driving bans for breaking the law while in Germany.
Drivers need to be aware of the higher driving age, they must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to drive there legally.
Greg Wilson, CEO and motoring insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “Excitement is building amongst football fans, with an estimated 800,000 Brits planning to travel overseas to watch the tournament.
“There will be venues over ten of the main regions of Germany, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Hamburg. Many fans will likely want to travel across the country to experience the tournament in the different cities and will be looking to hire a car to make the most of the trip.
“The tournament will be an incredible experience for football fans worldwide, but anyone choosing to drive while in Germany must be aware of the wide range of driving differences.
“Roads across Germany have varying speed limits and a high volume of speed cameras, so it’s crucial to stick to the speed limit and approach unfamiliar aspects with caution because travelling just 1km over the limit could result in a fine.
“Other important motoring rules to understand with the Euros commencing include the strict drink-drive limit which bans anyone under 21 driving with any alcohol in their system.”
Quotezone.co.uk’s six laws you must know before driving in Germany:
1.Driving on the correct side of the road
In Germany, drivers must remain on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left, a tricky change for Brits, especially if they’ve driven over in their own right-hand drive vehicle.
2.Road signs
German maximum speed limit signs are identical to those in the UK, the only difference being the limits are given in kilometres per hour rather than miles per hour. In extreme cases, ignoring road signs can lead to imprisonment. German roads also have a minimum speed limit – marked by blue round signs with the minimum speed displayed in white font.
3.Legal driving age
The legal driving age in Germany is slightly older than the UK at 18. Drivers need to check their itinerary beforehand as many countries have a different minimum driving age. In Germany, visitors must also be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive. It’s also sensible to check the age and requirements of hiring a car per country as there are variations in the restrictions.
4.Honking your horn
In Germany, drivers can only honk their horns if they or someone else is in immediate danger. Unnecessary or incorrect use of a horn can result in a fine, so visitors must avoid beeping their horns to celebrate football wins.
5.Be aware of speed limits
The German traffic code has strict regulations and high fines for drivers who exceed the speed limit, and they have plenty of speed cameras to monitor the roads. As a general rule of thumb, Germany has a speed limit of 50 km/h within built-up areas and 100 km/h outside built-up areas which is 31 and 62 mph respectively.
6.Drinking limits
Like most countries drunk driving is a traffic violation and will be seen as a criminal offence. However in Germany, the general limit for motorists is 0.5 % but drivers under 21 or with a new licence are not allowed any alcohol. Fines go from €500 to €1500.**
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