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Bus stopGermany

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Germany. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Germany

21. Bus stop

A bus stop is a designated place where buses stop to allow passengers to board or leave. It may be identified by a sign, shelter, raised platform, road marking or other public-transport infrastructure and can be located beside the road or in a specially constructed stopping area.

Drivers approaching a bus stop should watch carefully for buses, pedestrians and passengers crossing or entering the roadway. Parking or stopping restrictions may apply around bus stops to keep the area accessible and visible.

Bus stop
A bus stop. (Berlin, Germany)
Wikimedia.org • Geoprofi_Lars • CC BY-SA
What stopping or parking restrictions apply at bus stops in Germany?

Germany prohibits parking within 15 metres before and after the bus-stop sign. That sign’s parking rule must not be described as a blanket prohibition on every brief stop.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§12(2),20(1)–(6); Annex 2, sign 224

May I briefly drop off a passenger at a bus stop in Germany?

A brief passenger stop is different from parking, but it must comply with other restrictions and must not obstruct or endanger road users. Do not use the 15-metre rule as permission to block a bus.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§12(2),20(1)–(6); Annex 2, sign 224

What should I do near a stopped bus in Germany?

Allow scheduled buses and marked school buses to leave a marked stop, waiting if necessary. Pass a stopped bus using hazard lights only at walking pace, with enough clearance to avoid endangering passengers; stop if necessary. The walking-speed rule also applies to opposing traffic on the same carriageway. Such a bus approaching the stop with hazard lights must not be overtaken.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§12(2),20(1)–(6); Annex 2, sign 224

May German drivers overtake buses approaching stops with hazard lights?

No, for scheduled buses and marked school buses approaching marked stops.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§12(2),20(1)–(6); Annex 2, sign 224

1 Germany 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Pedestrian warning 11 Tunnel 12 Bridge 13 Cycling street 14 Pedestrian zone 15 Toll road 16 Customs 17 One-way traffic 18 Quay 19 Slope 20 Bus lane 21 Bus stop 22 Dead end 23 Stop sign 24 Give way 25 Roundabout 26 Priority road 27 Road narrowing 28 Priority over oncoming traffic 29 Give way to oncoming traffic 30 Pedestrian crossing 31 Railway crossing 32 Mandatory direction 33 School area 34 Overtaking 35 Crossing animals 36 Slippery road 37 Rockfall 38 Aircraft 39 Curve 40 Chevron 41 Wrong-way driving 42 Roadworks 43 Crosswind 44 Height limit 45 Width limit 46 Length limit 47 Weight limit 48 Radar speed sign 49 Selective barriers 50 Low-emission zone 51 Intersection direction sign 52 Priority at the next junction 53 Traffic lights 54 Traffic lights warning 55 Pedestrian lights 56 Road markings 57 Junction layout 58 Bike box 59 Speed feedback 60 Driving licence 61 Location marker 62 Countdown markers 63 Traffic mirror 64 Emergency telephone 65 International border 66 Pedestrian underpass 67 Cycling route 68 End of restriction 69 Parking 70 No parking 71 No stopping 72 Parallel parking 73 Park and ride 74 Kiss and ride 75 Parking meter 76 Parking disc 77 Disabled parking 78 Traffic management 79 Reversing 80 Traffic jam 81 Detour 82 Uncontrolled crossroad 83 Road surface 84 Exit 85 Horse riding 86 Provisional licence 87 Hazardous cargo 88 Emergency exit 89 Runaway truck ramp 90 Oversize load 91 Cycle highway 92 Carsharing 93 City limit 94 Gantry 95 Distance board 96 Breakdown bay 97 Hiking 98 Pavement parking 99 Road church 100 Tourist attraction ...