Rent a car in Germany and rush at breathtaking speed through the famous German autobahns - is not it the dream of any driver? And it's not so difficult to do this, to start by contacting one of the companies that offer car rentals in Germany. In German car rental will be autovermietung. You can choose and order a car on the Internet in an international company by contacting a private agency directly after arrival in the country or immediately upon arrival at the airport. Often discount is charged for prepayment online.

The approximate cost of renting a class C car with insurance is 70-90 EUR per day.

Documents, insurance

For renting a car in Germany besides national rights You will need an international driver's license and a bank card with sufficient deposit amount on the account. You can expect to receive a refund for 2-4 weeks after the car returns, in case you do not find hidden damages caused by your fault, or the company will not receive penalties for violating traffic rules.

The cost of renting a car in Germany usually includes: mileage without mileage restrictions, insurance against theft and damage (using a franchise), VAT. In addition, you can purchase insurance with a reduced amount of deductibles, insurance for a second driver, pay rent of a navigator, a child seat. In many agencies, it may be necessary to purchase additional insurance if the driver is younger than 25.

Ecological zones map in German cities Car rental in Germany
Map of ecological zones in the cities of Germany

Fuel and refueling

In Germany you can refuel with unleaded petrol or diesel fuel. Leaded gasoline is not on sale. Diesel fuel is cheaper than gasoline, but renting a car working on diesel will cost a little more. It is allowed to transport gasoline in cans. Popular now in Germany, gasoline E10 (ecological fuel) is not suitable for all vehicles, specify this point in the rental company.

The approximate cost of gasoline in Germany is 1, 7 EUR per liter (April 2012). Current prices for gasoline and diesel fuel in Germany can be viewed here.

Gas stations usually work by self-service method: drove up to the column, refueled, went to the checkout, called the number of the column, paid. Our 95th is called Super, 98th - Super plus.

Rules of the road traffic

The main difference between the German traffic regulations and ours is the absence of speed limits on autobahns. Remember also that it is necessary to go to Germany on the right lane, and on the left only to overtake. Overtaking on the right is prohibited.

Speed ​​limitation in Germany. Settlement: 50 km / h, in special rest areas (near pedestrian areas, schools, etc.): 30 km / h. Outside the village: 100 km / h. Autobahn: the recommended speed is up to 130 km / h, the minimum speed is 60 km / h.

In Germany it is recommended to always use the dipped beam. Transportation of children under 3 years is possible only with the use of special car seats. Children older than 3 years, but less than 150 cm tall, can ride only in the back seat, but it is assumed that they will be fastened with conventional seat belts. The use of seat belts is mandatory for all passengers. Studded tires are prohibited.

On autobahns parking is prohibited, when forced to stop, leave the car, put on a reflective vest.
Video tour on the roads of Germany

Penalties

Pay small fines in Germany you can police officers (of course, in full form, with a receipt), not only with cash, but also with a bank card. It is noteworthy that under the law in Germany, you must deactivate the function of the navigator, indicating the location of the points of control of the high-speed regime. The fact that it is forbidden to use radar detectors and say no.

The permissible alcohol content in the driver's blood in Germany: 0, 3 ‰, for drivers under 21 years or with experience less than 2 years - 0, 00 ‰.

Some amounts of fines: excess speed - from 10 to 680 EUR, for talking on the phone without a headset - 40 EUR, non-use of seat belts - 30 EUR, punishment for blood alcohol level more than 0, 5 ‰ - from 500 to 1500 EUR plus disqualification for up to 3 months, driving under the influence (up to 0, 5 ‰) by beginners and persons under 25 years old - 250 EUR, violation of the rules of transportation of children - 40 EUR, driving on summer tires on snow or ice - from 40 to 80 EUR.

Toll roads

In Germany there are no toll roads, you will have to pay the entrance to the center in some cities (in particular, in Berl Cologne and Hanover), this is the so-called ecological zone (Umweltzone), and the passage through the tunnels of Warnow (up to 3, 40 EUR per car) and Herren (1, 30 EUR) . To enter the ecological zone it is necessary to purchase special sticker Plakette (valid in all German cities for unlimited time), cost from 5 to 15 EUR depending on the category of toxicity of the TC . Such a sticker can be obtained from authorized centers at the stations of technical supervision, in any office of companies Dekra and TUV, at some petrol stations or order online (in this case, the costs are still to be paid). mailing) .

Phones (orange columns) are installed every two kilometers on avtobanah, where you can report an accident or a car breakdown.

Parking in the cities of Germany

In Germany, it will not be possible to "throw a car" anywhere, for parking in the wrong place or against traffic, a fine is required, in some streets only local residents (Anwohnerparken or Anliegerfrei) can leave the car. Payment for parking is made in vending machines, at the entrance it is necessary to take a parking ticket. Some parking lots will require a parking disk (Parkscheibe), located under the windshield, which will indicate your arrival time. Such a drive can be bought at gas stations.

The largest car rental firms in Germany

National operator: Buchbinder.

International companies: Hertz, Europcar, National, Avis.

Rental brokers: Arenda Auto Germany.