ExpresswayGermany

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.


3. Expressway

An expressway is a road intended to carry through traffic efficiently, usually at higher speeds than ordinary roads. Expressways often have limited access, multiple lanes, separated carriageways or grade-separated junctions, but their design and legal status vary between countries.

An expressway is not always a motorway. It may have intersections, traffic lights or direct access, and the permitted road users, speed limits and special rules depend on local signs and regulations.

Tiergarten Spreebogen Tunnel carrying Bundesstraße 96. (Berlin, Germany)
Wikimedia.org • KlausFoehl • CC BY-SA
How do people refer to an expressway in Germany?

The German term is Kraftfahrstraße, meaning road for motor vehicles. It is identified by a blue sign with a car symbol and is a separate designation from a motorway.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§3(3)(2)(c),18(1),(9); Annex 3, signs 331.1–331.2

Must a German expressway have separate carriageways?

No. A road for motor vehicles can have a single carriageway. Do not assume that the designation guarantees a central divider, motorway-style junctions or an unrestricted car speed.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§3(3)(2)(c),18(1),(9); Annex 3, signs 331.1–331.2

What speed limit applies to cars on an expressway in Germany?

There is no single maximum created by the road-for-motor-vehicles sign. On an ordinary single-carriageway road outside built-up areas, the car maximum is normally 100 km/h. Qualifying divided or multi-lane roads have different provisions; obey posted limits.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§3(3)(2)(c),18(1),(9); Annex 3, signs 331.1–331.2

Who may use an expressway in Germany?

Motor vehicles and their trailers must have a design maximum speed of more than 60 km/h. Cyclists cannot use the road. Pedestrians may cross a Kraftfahrstraße only at junctions or other places provided for crossing; they must not otherwise enter it. The design-speed condition is not a duty to maintain that speed in congestion.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§3(3)(2)(c),18(1),(9); Annex 3, signs 331.1–331.2

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 ...