Is Germany Left or Right Side Drive?

Germany drives on the right-hand side of the road, and most vehicles are left-hand drive (steering wheel on the left). For visitors, this means you keep right except when overtaking, pass on the left, and follow road rules consistent with much of continental Europe.

What “left” or “right” side drive means

Countries designate a default side of the road for traffic. In right-hand-traffic systems like Germany’s, vehicles keep to the right and are typically configured with the steering wheel on the left. This setup influences overtaking rules, intersection priority, roundabout navigation, and how pedestrians and cyclists interact with traffic.

Germany’s driving side and vehicle setup

Germany uses right-hand traffic nationwide, so you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Most cars are left-hand drive, aligning the driver closer to the center of the road for better visibility when passing. Road rules are designed around this configuration, including “keep right” lane discipline on multi-lane roads and the Autobahn.

European context and borders

All of Germany’s neighbors—Denmark, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands—also drive on the right. Within Europe, the notable left-driving countries are the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta, none of which share a land border with Germany. This makes cross-border driving in the region straightforward with no side-switch at borders.

Key rules influenced by right-hand driving

The following points outline practical rules and conventions you’ll encounter in Germany that stem from its right-hand-traffic system.

• Keep right except to pass: On highways and multi-lane roads, remain in the rightmost lane unless overtaking.
• Overtake on the left: Passing on the right is generally prohibited, with limited exceptions in slow-moving congestion under specific conditions.
• Intersection priority: Where no signs or signals indicate otherwise, “rechts vor links” (priority to the right) applies—yield to traffic coming from your right.
• Roundabouts: Yield to vehicles already in the circle; signal when exiting, not when entering.
• Pedestrians and cyclists: Expect dedicated lanes and crossings; yield as indicated by signs and signals.
• Trams: Where present, heed tram priority and dedicated signals; do not overtake a tram on the side where passengers are boarding if it would endanger them.

Together, these rules reinforce the safety and flow of right-side driving, especially on high-speed routes like the Autobahn and in dense urban areas.

Practical tips for visitors and renters

If you’re renting a car or bringing your own vehicle, the points below help ensure a smoother experience on Germany’s right-side roads.

• Licensing: EU/EEA licenses are accepted. Many visitors with non-EU licenses can drive temporarily; an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended if your license isn’t in German or English.
• Insurance: Verify third-party liability coverage; consider collision and theft coverage for rentals.
• Environmental zones: Many cities require an emissions sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter low-emission zones; German rental cars typically have it fitted—confirm in advance.
• Vehicle setup: Left-hand-drive vehicles are standard. If you bring a right-hand-drive car (e.g., from the UK), adjust headlight beam patterns to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
• Navigation and signage: Distances and speed limits are in kilometers. Pay attention to signage indicating priority roads, roundabouts, and no-passing zones.
• Autobahn etiquette: No general passing on the right; maintain large following distances; some stretches lack a fixed speed limit but have a recommended speed of 130 km/h—observe posted limits where they apply.

Preparing documentation, understanding local rules, and choosing a vehicle suited to right-side driving will make German roads feel intuitive, even for drivers used to left-side traffic.

Summary

Germany is a right-hand-traffic country with left-hand-drive vehicles. Keep right except to overtake on the left, observe “priority to the right” at unsigned intersections, and yield to traffic in roundabouts. All neighboring countries follow the same driving side, simplifying cross-border travel in the region.