Do Drivers in Germany Use the Left or Right Side of the Road?

Germany drives on the right. Vehicles are left-hand-drive (steering wheel on the left), and drivers are expected to keep right except when overtaking. This aligns Germany with most of continental Europe and affects everything from lane discipline on the Autobahn to how you navigate roundabouts and border crossings.

Where Germany Drives and How That Compares

Germany follows right-hand traffic rules, like nearly all of its neighboring countries. Only a handful of European nations use left-hand traffic, which is important for travelers planning cross-border trips or renting cars across regions.

• United Kingdom — left-hand traffic
• Ireland — left-hand traffic
• Malta — left-hand traffic
• Cyprus — left-hand traffic

Across mainland Europe, right-hand traffic is the norm, so transitions at Germany’s land borders are straightforward. Left-hand traffic becomes a factor chiefly when traveling to or from the UK, Ireland, Malta, or Cyprus by ferry, rail, or air.

Practical Rules on German Roads

Whether you’re on city streets or the Autobahn, several core rules flow from Germany’s right-hand driving system and are enforced nationwide under the StVO (road traffic regulations).

• Keep right except to overtake; use the left lane primarily for passing.
• Overtake on the left; passing on the right is generally prohibited on highways.
• Roundabouts run counterclockwise; yield to traffic already in the circle (approaching vehicles yield to the left).
• Default speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 100 km/h on rural roads unless otherwise signed.
• Autobahn: no general speed limit, but a recommended speed (Richtgeschwindigkeit) of 130 km/h; many stretches have posted limits and variable controls.
• Priority-from-the-right applies at unsigned intersections in towns; otherwise follow posted priority signs.
• Headlights are mandatory in tunnels; daytime running lights are widely used and recommended.

These standards aim to keep traffic flowing predictably and safely, especially given Germany’s mix of unrestricted Autobahn sections and heavily regulated urban zones.

Autobahn Specifics

On the Autobahn, lane discipline is strict: stay right when not overtaking, use mirrors and indicators early, and avoid “undertaking” (passing on the right). Even where there’s no posted limit, conditions, traffic, and weather must dictate a safe speed, and liability can increase in crashes above the 130 km/h recommended speed. Variable limits, lane controls, and speed cameras are common, particularly near construction zones and urban areas.

Crossing Borders and Rentals

Germany’s neighbors—such as France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Belgium—also drive on the right, making cross-border drives seamless. Travelers heading to the UK or Ireland will switch to left-hand traffic upon arrival; rental agencies provide guidance, but the vehicle will typically still be left-hand-drive unless rented locally.

Summary

Germany drives on the right, with left-hand-drive vehicles, keep-right lane discipline, and overtaking on the left. This setup matches most of Europe, streamlining border travel, while the Autobahn’s mix of recommended and posted speeds demands attentive, rule-abiding driving.

Is the USA a left-hand drive country?

Americans drive on the right for a couple of reasons. First, old freight wagons were pulled by teams of horses. Right-handed drivers rode on the left rear horse to use their right hand for maximum control over the whole team of horses. With this setup, driving on the right made more sense.

Does Germany drive on the same side of the road as the US?

Yes, Germany and the United States drive on the same side of the road: the right. This means that drivers in both countries keep to the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left.
 
Key similarities

• Right-hand traffic: Both countries follow right-hand traffic (RHT) rules. 
• Overtaking: In both countries, you should overtake slower vehicles by moving to the left lane and then returning to the right lane when it’s safe to do so. 

Key differences to be aware of

• Lane discipline on highways: On German highways, there’s a strict rule to always stay in the right-hand lane unless you are passing, and you must return to the right lane as soon as possible. 
• Speed limits: While Germany has sections of the Autobahn with no mandatory speed limits, other roads have lower speed limits than in the U.S., and you must always follow the posted signs. 
• Flashing headlights: Flashing your headlights in Germany often means you are yielding the right-of-way, the opposite of what it means in the US. 

Is Germany left or right hand drive?

Germany uses right-hand drive, meaning drivers sit on the left side of the vehicle and drive on the right side of the road. This is consistent with the practice in most of continental Europe, while the United Kingdom, Malta, and Ireland are the primary exceptions that use left-hand drive.
 
Key Points

• Right-Hand Traffic: Vehicles in Germany drive on the right side of the road. 
• Left-Hand Drive: The driver’s seat in a car in Germany is on the left. 
• Continental Europe Standard: Driving on the right is the standard in most of continental Europe. 
• Exceptions: Only the British Isles, Malta, and some other countries outside continental Europe drive on the left. 

Which countries drive on the left in Europe?

The Channel Islands, Ireland, The Isle of Man, Cyprus, and Malta are the only European countries that also drive on the left. If you’re hiring a car on a European holiday anywhere except for these places, you’ll need to be confident driving on the opposite side of the road.