MergingGermany
Traffic rules
Germany
1. Merging
Merging is the process of joining a stream of traffic from another lane or road, such as when an entry lane joins a motorway or when two traffic lanes become one. The merging driver must observe surrounding traffic, signal when required and enter an appropriate gap safely.
Drivers already in the continuing traffic lane should remain alert to merging vehicles and avoid unnecessarily preventing them from joining. Special zipper-merging rules may apply when traffic is heavily congested and a lane ends.
Is zipper merging obligatory when a lane ends in Germany?
Yes. Section 7(4) of the StVO requires drivers in the continuing lane to let vehicles from the blocked or ending lane merge alternately immediately before the narrowing (the Reißverschlussverfahren).
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §7(4)–(5): zipper merge and ordinary lane changes
Does indicating give you priority when changing lanes in Germany?
No. Under section 7(5), a lane change is allowed only when other road users will not be endangered. Signal the change clearly and in good time; do not confuse an ordinary lane change with the special zipper-merging rule.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §7(4)–(5): zipper merge and ordinary lane changes
