The German Way: Life in Austria, Germany, Switzerland

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Driving Tips for Germany

Renting and driving a car in Europe

In order to rent a car in Europe, non-Europeans need a valid driver’s license from their home state or province. Although the legal driving age is 18, drivers usually must be over 21 (sometimes even older) to rent a car. Austria, Germany, and Switzerland also require an International Driving Permit, which is actually just a translation of the original license (and available from AAA), but car rental agents rarely ask to see it. If, however, you should have a traffic accident or an encounter with the law, it may be desirable to have one.

GPS driving
A Navi (GPS navigator) like this one (to right of driver’s head) is a popular feature for German drivers and for rental cars. PHOTO © Hyde Flippo

Rental Tip: GPS Navigation

Want a GPS navigator for your rental? You can rent a portable GPS “Navi” (NAH-vee) for about 9 euros a day (EuropCar) or get a rental car with a built-in GPS navigation system. Mention this when you make your reservation, since they are not always available. - More alternatives: Rent or buy a portable GPS unit that also works in Europe before you go.

Rent a GPS for Europe from Lowergear.com

Expat Tip: Driver’s License Requirements

Non-EU expats (i.e., Americans, Canadians, Australians, etc.) living in Germany have six months before their home country license is no longer valid. (If you’re staying a year or less, you can usually continue to use your American license, but you have to apply for an exemption.) If you’re staying longer than six months and you’re lucky enough to have a driver’s license from a state or province with a reciprocity agreement, it’s fairly easy to get a German license. If not, be prepared to spend time and money to attend a driving school (Fahrschule), take tests, and obtain a license. — The reciprocity odds are not in your favor. Only about half of the 50 U.S. states have a license waiver agreement with Germany, and some populous states (California, Texas, New York) are not among them. If you’re headed for Austria, you’re in luck! Unlike Germany, Austria now allows the automatic conversion of a U.S. driver’s license.
   Learn more: How to Get a German Driver’s License

Tip: Other Requirements

Drivers must carry a warning triangle (Warndreieck) and a first-aid kit in the vehicle (found in the trunk of all rental cars) for use in an emergency. Since your North American auto insurance is not valid in Europe, be sure you have coverage from the rental agency and/or a credit card. Most rental cars require unleaded (bleifrei, pron. BLY-FRY) gasoline or diesel fuel, which is much more common in Europe than it is in the U.S.

Tip: Diesel Cars

Diesel cars, also as rentals, are more common in Europe than in North America. When filling your car’s tank with diesel fuel, make sure you do not mistakenly pull up to a truck diesel pump. The size of the nozzles for the auto pumps versus the truck pumps is different. A truck fuel nozzle is bigger and has a higher flow rate. It won’t fit in the narrower automobile diesel fuel pipe.

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Copyright © 1997-2010 Hyde Flippo. All rights reserved.

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Original Web content © 1997-2010 Hyde Flippo | Graphic design by Erik Flippo www.erikflippo.com
Hyde Flippo is solely responsible for the content of this site and, other than permission granted to publish copyrighted material, McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Publishing has no direct involvement, financial or otherwise, with this site. When in Germany, Do As the Germans © 2002 McGraw-Hill; The German Way ©1999 McGraw-Hill/Passport Books. All rights reserved | Site Map | Advertise with us!