Motorway tolls Germany 2023 → Price, where to buy, paid sections
- In Germany, transit is free for most motor vehicles for now
- The only exception are lorries with a total weight of over 7.5 tonnes which are subject to the motorway toll
- The subject of tolls in relation to all categories of vehicles is still being negotiated and even in 2024 the German motorways remain free of charge
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The upcoming prices and validity of motorway vignettes in Germany
It has not yet been officially decided when tolls will be charged for the use of German motorways. The price of a motorway vignette will most likely depend on the engine capacity and emission class of the vehicle. The vignette will be electronic and the drivers will be able to purchase it online, via a mobile application, or near the German borders. The validity of vignettes is expected to be either ten days, two months, or one year.
Motorcycles, electric vehicles, CNG, and LPG vehicles are expected to get free access to German motorways. The same conditions apply to people with a disability ID card.
The price of the 10-day vignette will range from €2,50 to €25, the 2-month vignette from €7,00 to €50. The annual vignette will cost up to €130. The drivers of diesel vehicles will pay additional fees for the vignette, the volume and emission class will be reflected in the price.
The comparison of vignette prices for passenger cars with a volume of 2 l
Petrol, Euro 4 a 5 Diesel, Euro 4 a 5 Petrol and diesel, Euro 3 10 days €4,00 €14,00 €25 2 months €11,00 €30 €50 Annual €40 €100 €130 Vignettes for trucks with a total weight of more than 7.5 tonnes are paid automatically using the on-board unit or by prepayment for the selected route at the terminal, via the mobile application, or at Toll Collect.
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Motorway network and toll sections in Germany 2024
A map of motorways and expressways in Germany
The current map of German motorways can be found on Toll-Collect.de.
Motorway sections charged with a special toll
In Germany, only the passage of the two tunnels (Herren Tunnel and Warnow Tunnel) is charged. Drivers who drive through these tunnels often can benefit from more favorable monthly tariffs.
- Driving through the Herren Tunnel with a passenger costs €2,10. A detailed overview of Herren Tunnel fees can be found on HerrenTunnel.de.
- Passing through the Warnow Tunnel by car between 1 November and 30 April costs €3,60 and in the period from 1 May to 31 October €4,40.
- An overview of the Warnow Tunnel fees can be found on Warnowquerung.de.
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Traffic fines in Germany
In 2021, a new scale of fines was introduced in Germany which increased the costs of fines for traffic offenses and speeding.
Similar to UK, there is a points system in Germany that also applies to foreigners. The principles of this system lie in recording the so-called penalty points in the central register of drivers.
If the driver builds up 8 or more penalty points, their driving licence is suspended. The driving ban is issued for the given country, i.e. on the German territory.
The driver can apply for the reissuing of their driving licence in Germany at the earliest after a period of 6 months and after undergoing a medical-psychological assessment.
Fines for selected offenses
- Penalty for running a red light €360 (and the possibility of receiving a 1-month driving ban)
- Failure to wear a seat belt – €30
- Failure to obey a yield sign – up to €100
- Dangerous overtaking on the motorway (undertaking) – up to €250
- Penalty for using a mobile phone while driving – €60
- Failure to clear a lane for emergency vehicles – up to €320 (and the possibility of receiving a 1-month driving ban)
- Failure to comply with the ‘no overtaking’ sign – €70
- Overtaking in places with limited visibility (e.g. before the horizon) – €100
- Failure to keep a safe distance from other vehicles – €75
- Driving under the influence of alcohol ranging from 0.5 to 1.09 per mille – €500 (and the possibility of receiving a 1-month driving ban)
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Speeding penalties in Germany 2024
In Germany, penalties for breaking road traffic regulations have recently been tightened (and mostly doubled). More particularly, the government promises to reduce piracy and better protect cyclists and pedestrians.
Speeding in urban areas
- 1-10 km/h: €30
- 11-15 km/h: €50
- 16-20 km/h: €70
- 21-25 km/h: €115
- 26-30 km/h: €180
- 31-40 km/h: €260
- 41-50 km/h: €400
- 51-60 km/h: €560
- 61-70 km/h: €700
- over 70 km/h: €800
Speeding outside urban areas
- 1-10 km/h: €20,00
- 11-15 km/h: €40
- 16-20 km/h: €60
- 21-25 km/h: €100
- 26-30 km/h: €150
- 31-40 km/h: €200
- 41-50 km/h: €320
- 51-60 km/h: €480
- 61-70 km/h: €600
- over 70 km/h: €700
Both active and passive use of antiradars is prohibited in Germany. This function must be deactivated also in GPS systems.
The German police are consistent in their enforcement and it is not recommended to try and discuss the penalty with them any further. They often do not impose the highest possible penalties, but if the situation requires it (usually in anticipation of a higher fine), it is uncompromising and legal proceedings can be initiated against the driver. In this case, the police are entitled to seize your car.
In the case of administrative proceedings (personal participation in court proceedings), to which you are entitled, your car may be confiscated again after failing to pay the required deposit.
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Motorways in Germany: Speed limits
Speed limits in Germany
- In urban areas: 50 km/h
- Outside urban areas: 100 km/h
- On motorways: 130 km/h (in some sections there are no speed limits)
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Driving a car in Germany 2024
Mandatory car equipment in Germany
The mandatory car equipment should include:
- a reflective vest
- a warning triangle
- a first aid kit
Motorcycle drivers and their passengers are obligated to wear a safety helmet.
Tires
Winter tires are mandatory whenever roads are covered with snow or ice without a specified time period.
Since 2018, only those tires that are marked with a snowflake symbol are considered to be winter tires. Until 30 September 2024, older tires (manufactured before 2018) marked with M + S (mud and snow) can also be used. The minimum tire tread depth is 1.6 mm, however, the depth of 4 mm is recommended.
Studded tires are prohibited. Snow chains are mandatory on certain mountain roads. A car with snow chains can be driven at a maximum speed of 50 km/h.
It is mandatory to have exclusively winter washer fluid in your washers during winter.
Seat belts
In Germany, seat belts are required to be used on all seats equipped with them. This obligation also applies to buses.
Children in the car
In Germany, the use of child car seats is mandatory for children up to 150 cm in height or up to 12 years of age.
Children under 150 cm or 12 years old must not sit in the front seat.
Drinking and driving
The maximum permitted amount of alcohol in the blood of a passenger car driver is 0.5 per mille. But this does not apply to everyone. In the case of professional drivers, drivers under the age of 21, and drivers who have held their driver’s licence for less than 2 years, there is zero blood alcohol limit.
A fine issued for driving under the influence of alcohol ranges from€500 to €1 500 and of course the penalty may include a long-term driving ban and penalty points.
Daytime running lights
The nonstop lighting obligation only applies to motorcycles. Other vehicles may or may not be using their lights at all times.
The obligation to have the lights on applies during twilight and darkness, as well as in poor visibility (bad weather) and in tunnels, even if they are illuminated.
Rules for driving in a traffic congestion
In the event of a traffic collapse and the subsequent formation of traffic congestion, the drivers are obligated to create emergency corridors for vehicles in the integrated rescue system, the so-called “emergency lanes”.
In practice, this means that vehicles on the left side of the road must move as far to the left as possible and vehicles on the right side have to move as far to the right as possible. At the same time, the emergency stopping lane must not be blocked.
For a failure of creation or late creation of the “emergency lane”, the driver can receive a fine of up to €320 and at the same time, they may receive a 1-month driving ban.
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