Petrol (Super 95, Super 95 E10 and Super Plus 98) is easily available (if you want to fill up with E10, check the fuel tank opening, the manual or your car dealer to find out whether your car can run on this fuel). Diesel and LPG are also easy to find.The European connector (ACME) is used for filling up with LPG. Most petrol stations are open at least from 8:00 to 20:00 CET and those on motorways are often open day and night.There are also unstaffed petrol stations.

There are many charging points for electric cars, although there are also some areas with less comprehensive coverage. Please take note of the various charging rates. It’s sometimes cheaper to charge your car at night.
You’ll find a list of the charging points on ladesaeulenregister.de.

Dimmed headlights are obligatory in bad visibility, in the dark and in tunnels. At a crossroads without any designated priorities, traffic coming from the right has priority. Traffic on a roundabout has priority if this is indicated by a priority sign. Uphill traffic has priority over downhill traffic (but on narrow mountain roads, the vehicle that can most easily move out of the way must give way).You’re forbidden from holding a telephone while sitting behind the wheel, even if the vehicle is motionless (hands-free phoning is permitted).
Children under the age of 12 years and under 1.50 metres in height must sit in a child car seat.
Winter tyres are required in winter weather conditions. Many German cities also have low emission zones where the German emissions sticker is required.

If you’re in a traffic jam, you must move as far as possible to the right or left, to create a free lane (Rettungsgasse) in the middle for emergency vehicles. When overtaking cyclists (including those on a cycle lane), you must maintain a lateral distance of at least 1.50 metres. In Germany, cars are not permitted on a dedicated ‘bicycle road’ (Fahrradstraße), unless indicated otherwise. Zig-zag lines on the road indicate that you’re not permitted to stop or park there.

It’s obligatory to have a warning triangle, a high-visibility safety vest and a first-aid kit in your vehicle.

A camper van or car-caravan combination may be a maximum of 4 metres high, 2.55 metres wide and 18 metres long (the caravan itself may be a maximum of 12 metres long). On motorways with three or more lanes, you may not drive with a caravan in the lane furthest to the left, unless you want to turn left. If you’re towing a caravan weighing more than 750 kg, you must have 2 wheel chocks.

A cycle helmet is not obligatory. It’s forbidden to telephone or message while cycling. Children must cycle on the pavement and cross roads on foot until they’re 8 years old. Cyclists must be aged 16 years or older before they’re allowed to transport a child under 7 years in a child bicycle seat. Cycling side-by-side is only permitted on a cycle path that is separated from the road by a raised barrier or a grass strip.

An environmental sticker or vignette (‘Umweltplakette’) is required in increasing numbers of German towns and cities. This also applies to foreign vehicles. The vignette may be yellow, green or red, depending on your vehicle’s emissions. This vignette is not required on motorways. An environmental zone is indicated by signs for ‘Umweltzone’. If you drive into such a zone without a vignette, you risk a fine. Some cities have a ‘diesel ban’, meaning that older diesel cars and cars without a catalytic converter are no longer permitted. The rules vary from one place to the other.
For more information, see: gis.uba.de/website/umweltzonen.

Place your emergency triangle on the motorway at least 200 metres (on other roads 50-100 metres) behind the car.All people in the car are advised to put on a high-visibility safety vest. In the event of a breakdown, phone the emergency number of your roadside assistance insurer. You can also call a German breakdown service: +49 89 22 22 22 (ADAC) or +49 711 530 34 35 36 (ACE). And you can call for roadside assistance from an orange emergency telephone. You’re advised not to repair your vehicle yourself on the side of the motorway. Towing on the motorway is permitted as far as the next exit.

German campsites are among the better-quality sites in Europe. Campsites are focusing increasingly on target groups such as families with children, hikers and cyclists, or wellness fans.
Wild camping outside organised campsites is generally forbidden. It is only allowed if the landowner gives permission.

Nearly all campsites have a midday rest time (usually from 13:00 to 15:00 CET), which must generally be strictly observed.