Greetings, all. It suddenly came upon me yesterday that I'm off in TWO weeks, everything going as scheduled. But I've hardly looked up from work for the past six weeks and now - ack! - I'm not ready! I'd intended to learn more about driving in Germany and I've found a couple of threads but am concerned if there driving concepts unique to Germany. For instance, do the signs appear early and often or come up on you at the last minute? My serious concern is getting out the airport at Frankfurt and back into it. Is it well marked? Confusing? Lots of roads going all different places a la Atlanta airport? What's the phrase for "rental car return"? I went to mappy.com - great site! - and got written directions from town to town, but as I'm sure you all know - it looks a lot different on the ground in 3-D. I'm trying so hard to get back my enthusiasm for this trip after everything that has happened recently, and the driving jitters aren't making it any easier. Thanks for any help.

Easy to say, but I'll say it anyway: Relax! Really, you'll find driving in Germany quite easy. <BR> <BR>For some insight and pointers to more info see http://www.twenj.com/bavariacar.htm

Hi Shanna, <BR> <BR>Frankfurt Airport signs are both in English and German, the German term is "Mietwagenrückgabe" or sth. like this. "Rental car" is "Mietwagen" and "return" is "Rückgabe". Other than that don`t worry about driving, just don`t try to drive on the left lane all the time-it`s for overtaking slower cars. About the signs-we have clearly too many signs for everthing in Germany, so no problem with that. Just remember-your final destination is on the sign-not only a highway number with North/West etc. (there are numbers, but it`s a good thing to focus on the destination you are heading to). <BR> <BR>If you have more questions-just send me a mail. <BR> <BR>Regards <BR> <BR>Miriam

Uuups, <BR> <BR>I should have been more specific that I meant the Autobahn, when I recommended not driving on the left lane. On normal streets "Bundesstrassen", you, of course stay on the right, because they are two-lane roads... <BR> <BR>Miriam

Our vistors from US were always a bit under shock,when we drove along the Auto- <BR>bahn ( Highway) The rules to follow are <BR>quite simple: Usually you will find three lanes : The right lane is on weekdays busy with lorries, dutch motorvan drivers and <BR>buses. The center lane is for people who are not in a hurry -average speed abut 70-80mph. The left lane is reserved for fugitive bankrobbers,racing-car drivers <BR>and people,who are slightly more in a hurry. Since there is no speed limit,you <BR>should not stay on this track for more then four seconds if you are doing less then about 100-150 mph. If you do so you will be captured by three or four Germans, beaten up by singing german warsongs. Than they will invite you to have a beer in one of the numerous <BR>" Autobahnraststätte " ( highway restaurants) and enjoy the day with you. Germans are really friendly folks-unless you use the left lane on the Autobahn for more than four seconds. <BR>So if you are on the motorway don´t get excited-there is no speed limit and therefore there is no need to look for <BR>radar traps unless you find a limt for security reasons. Enjoy driving on these <BR>beautiful roads-as all of our ameri´can friends did after some days.

To the last poster, <BR> <BR>you have weird sort of humor. German people singing warsongs and beat up people? Very funny, indeed...Have you ever been in Germany? Beer in the Autobahnraststätte? Although some of your advice might be helpful-those two tips certainly weren`t. While driving a vehicle your alcohol blood concentration must not be over 0.8%, which means two small beer. If you are involved in an accident, no matter whose fault it was you are being sued when your are loaded, no matter if you have have 0,2 or 1,5%. Take this issue serious... <BR> <BR>Miriam

everyone has covered the important aspects of autobahn driving except one-cameras.on every type rd at most work sites there are cameras plus any area with a posted limit. if it says 70k it means 70k.also most towns[small & large]have cameras at the city limit sign. watch your speed when there is a limit or your rental car bill will be a big surprise at the end of your trip.

Frankfurt Airport: They have been changing quite a lot since I've been there the last time with a car but I remember it well marked. Coming from the highway, you just follow the signs and it shouldn't be too much of a bother to find the highway from the airport. Trying to find the way inside the airport is a little bit more confusing. Allow yourself some time to find the car rental etc. You should also keep in mind that a lot of commuters work in Frankfurt which means that you should expect dense traffic and possible traffic jams around rush hours when you bring back the rental car. <BR> <BR>Highway: There are many parts of the highway with speed limits but don't keep on the left lane even if you go the allowed speed limit. <BR>Never, ever pass on the right as long as the traffic isn't reduced to a crawl. It draws high penalties and it's dangerous since other drivers don't expect you to be there. <BR> <BR>Town: I don't know how pedestrian crossings are observed in your country but in Germany they have to be observed by the automobiles. If a pedestrian is standing there to cross, cars are required to stop and drivers should look out for pedestrians and reduce their speed when coming close to a pedestrian crossing (i.e. you're in legal trouble if something happens). It makes sense for a pedestrian to look out for cars and make sure that the driver actually stops but in some cases people don't do it and drivers should be aware of this. <BR> <BR>Street cars need a lot of time to brake once they picked up speed. Keep this in mind if you're close to them and give them the right of way (something you should also do as a pedestrian). Don't park on the tracks since buses will be called as a substitution after a few minutes and that gets really expensive for the offender (not meant as an insult to your intelligence. I live close to a streetcar track and at least half a dozen times a day the trams are stopped by cars standing on the tracks). <BR> <BR>Look out for bicycles. They're allowed to pass standing traffic on the right. This means that they might appear surprisingly next to you when you take a right turn. <BR> <BR>And one last thing: As a broad generalization, US cars are designed to be very comfortable at medium speeds but get somewhat unstable at higher speeds which acts as a warning sign. Cars in Germany are less comfortable at lower speeds but don't get that unstable at higher speeds (especially if you drive a larger car) which means that you you don't feel higher speeds as much as in US cars. So look at your speed, especially before entering a zone with restricted speed, since you might go much faster than you think. <BR> <BR>Have fun and don't be nervous. Driving in Germany isn't half as bad as I might have implied with my warnings.

Shanna, <BR>read Hans' post: <BR>On highways, only stay in the left lane when passing. <BR>Never, ever pass on the right (unless there is a traffic jam with stop and go). <BR>Traffic lights are BEFORE you enter the intersection; and running a red light is a total no, no (unlike here in the Washington, DC area) <BR>People usually drive faster in Germany than the US; <BR>there are a lot more Yield/Stop signs than traffic lights than in the US <BR>There are no 4-way stops; <BR>If you see a yellow diamond shaped sign it means that you're on a road that has priority; <BR>"Right before left" if you don't see a sign that gives priority to you; and be careful, some streets look like a "main" road but the car from the right still has the right of way. <BR> <BR>And above all, relax!

Thanks, all. And, okay, I'm relaxing, I'm relaxing! Seriously, your advice is much appreciated. I promise to stay to the right, drive sober - even though I'm headed for the Weinstrasse - and keep calm. I guess I'm always reminded of the trip to England where my husband drove out of the airport, got directions to Winchester, and an hour later we were driving back through the airport! Alas, this trip I'll be driving alone. Miriam, if things quiet down a bit here at work, I'll probably have some more questions. And Michael thanks for the laughs. You all have made me excited again about this trip. Many thanks.

Shanna, <BR> <BR>Driving in Germany is a wonderful experience. I would suggest you search for a site that has explainations of the road signs. There are a few good sights with this info. and it will help a lot. <BR> <BR>Just came back from Frankfurt and it's very easy to get into and out of from the Autobahn. Remember the rental car return area though (same as the pickup) cause it's not very well marked. <BR>-- <BR>mj

Shanna, <BR>A fine resource for information regarding driving in Europe is the following website: <BR>www.ideamerge.com/motoeuropa/ <BR>Click on "Online Guide" and then in the column "On the road", click on Road Signs and then Phrasebook. Road signs will familiarize you with the various types of signage; phrasebook will give you typical practical phrases in German that you may need in your travels. For more info on German road rules, go to and click on Germany in the last column.

Shanna, <BR> <BR>Here's another site with German road signs/explainations: <BR>http://home.att.net/~texhwyman/zeichen.htm <BR>-- <BR>