MotorwayGermany
2. Motorway
A motorway is a road specially designed and signposted for motor traffic. Motorways normally have separate carriageways for opposing traffic, controlled access through designated entrances and exits, no direct access to neighbouring properties, and no level crossings with other roads, railways or paths.
Special traffic rules apply on motorways. The permitted road users, speed limits, lane rules, tolls and emergency procedures vary between countries, so drivers must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.
Wikimedia.org • BahnfrAtamariend • CC BY-SA
How do people refer to a motorway in Germany?
The German term is Autobahn. A Kraftfahrstraße is a separate road category reserved for motor vehicles.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§3(1),(3),18(1),(7)–(10); Annex 3, signs 330.1–330.2
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Autobahn-Richtgeschwindigkeits-V §§1–2: 130 km/h recommendation
Start of a motorway.
English • Traffic sign 330.1 • Motorway.
Deutsch • Verkehrszeichen 330.1 • Autobahn.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de • VzKat, Anhang (Gesamtübersicht)
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
vectorized by • Public domain • Source revision 2017-08-29. Wikimedia original unmodified.
End of the motorway.
English • Traffic sign 330.2 • End of motorway.
Deutsch • Verkehrszeichen 330.2 • Ende der Autobahn.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de • VzKat, Anhang (Gesamtübersicht)
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
vectorized by • Public domain • Source revision 2017-08-30. Wikimedia original unmodified.
What speed limit applies to cars on a motorway in Germany?
Ordinary passenger cars without trailers do not have a blanket motorway maximum on unrestricted sections. The recommended speed is 130 km/h. Posted and variable limits are binding, and traffic, weather and visibility can require a lower speed.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§3(1),(3),18(1),(7)–(10); Annex 3, signs 330.1–330.2
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Autobahn-Richtgeschwindigkeits-V §§1–2: 130 km/h recommendation
Who may use a motorway in Germany?
Motor vehicles and their trailers must have a design maximum speed of more than 60 km/h. This is a vehicle-admission requirement, not a universal minimum driving speed. Pedestrians and cyclists are excluded.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§3(1),(3),18(1),(7)–(10); Annex 3, signs 330.1–330.2
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Autobahn-Richtgeschwindigkeits-V §§1–2: 130 km/h recommendation
What should I do if I miss a motorway exit in Germany?
Continue to the next exit and choose a safe onward route. Do not reverse, make a U-turn or cross the central reservation to return to a missed exit.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§3(1),(3),18(1),(7)–(10); Annex 3, signs 330.1–330.2
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Autobahn-Richtgeschwindigkeits-V §§1–2: 130 km/h recommendation

Traffic rules
Germany