Car hires in Germany

All cars in Germany, including rental cars must have a portable, red, reflective traffic triangle, which in the case of an accident or a breakdown, you are required to place some metres behind the car on the Autobahn, and on all other roads. Rental cars must also be equipped with a first aid kit, and at least two reflective, high visibility safety jackets. All rental cars must have these items, or you run the risk of being fined if you are stopped by traffic police. Germany also has a unique right of way rule at all junctions. The driver coming from the right-hand side almost always has the right-of-way, however, make sure you check for priority road signs and other right-of-way signs at intersections. Always obey traffic lights and stop or yield signs. If you're driving on a priority road, it will be signposted by a yellow diamond with a white border, just look out for the end-of-priority-road sign, after which you'll no longer have right of way. The Autobahn is unique to Germany and a great experience for travellers who are interested in renting a car and driving on the famous road. Passing on the right is not permitted and you are advised to always check your side mirrors before moving into the left lane, which is the faster lane. While there is a recommended speed limit, it is technically illegal to drive too slowly and too quickly if it becomes dangerous to other drivers. There are areas of the autobahn in which there are strict speed limits, and we advise you to follow all signs while driving your rental car.

You must provide a valid drivers license to car hire companies to rent a car in Germany. Some car hire companies also require an International Driving Permit, so we recommend that you investigate your chosen company before you rent. The legal driving age in Germany is 18, but most companies have a minimum age of 21 before they will permit you to rent a car, and even then, you may have to pay a premium surcharge if you're under the age of 25. International drivers will be required to show a passport, proof of return travel and residency information when renting a car. While a credit card is the easiest way to pay, you can often use your debit card if your ID and address are verified. Insurance is not required but most car hire companies offer different levels of cover to protect against loss of belongings, theft, damage, or injury at varying prices.

The cities of Berlin and Hamburg are the worst affected areas of Germany when it comes to traffic. Berlin has a congestion rate of 30%, which means that traffic regularly moves 30% slower than if the roads were free-flowing, while Hamburg has a congestion rate of 29%. Generally speaking, driving and parking in Hamburg or Berlin is difficult, and we recommend taking public transport if you plan on visiting these areas. Parking is expensive, and there are many rules about parking on the street While in some places you may simply get hit with a fine, in others, such as Hamburg, the towing of illegally parked cars is not unheard of.

The Romantic Road (Romantische Straße) runs from Würsburg in Bavaria to the uplands of Allgäu. On the way, you get to experience the fine nature that Germany has to offer, all while stopping and visiting famous sites, such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Augsburg, and the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Another popular option is the Fairy Tale Route, which is a quite long trip from Hanau to Bremen on the north coast and passes through famous places such as Hamelin, where the Pied Piper was created, Snow White’s village of Bad Wildungen, and Red Riding Hood’s House in Alsfeld.

In Germany, drivers are required to drive on the right at all times. Not doing so can result in traffic violation tickets.

As of 2019, Germany ranked 13 out of 137 countries for road quality. Germany received a road quality score of 5.7, which is based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the best possible score.

2.38 mg/l is the maximum Blood Alcohol Concentration you can have to legally drive a car in Germany. Both residents and visitors of Germany can face legal penalties for having a BAC higher than this amount. Be aware that 16 is the legal drinking age in Germany, and there are strict laws that prohibit drivers under this age from drink driving.

As of last week, the average price of petrol in Germany was £1.56 per litre. If you aren’t set on hiring a car in Germany, then consider Kuwait. Petrol prices there are some of the cheapest in the world at £0.28 per litre as of last week. Hong Kong is another great place to visit and rent a car, but keep in mind that petrol prices can be expensive at around £2.47 per litre.

Prices for cars in Germany are refreshed on a daily basis.

As of November 2023, there are 6,574 operators available to choose from for cars in Germany.

The minimum age for drivers varies by country, including Germany. In many EU countries drivers must be 18 years old. As a rule, you’ll need to be 21 to hire a car abroad, and a young driver surcharge may be applied if you are under 25. We recommend reading through the policy of your chosen rental company before booking.

When renting a car in Germany, all drivers must present a full valid driving license. An International Driving Permit is required if the driving license is written in a language different to that of the country of rental and may be necessary to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you are renting abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We always recommend checking with the individual rental company you are booking with.

Using momondo to book a car hire in Germany could save you time and money. momondo searches thousands of car hire websites and locations to provide you with a wide selection of options and cars to choose from.

By the use of filters, momondo makes finding a great car hire in Germany easier. Whether it is price, car type, amenities or policies, momondo allows you to refine your search with these and more filters to find the best deal for you.

Yes you can filter specifically for car hire companies in Germany offering free cancellation on momondo.

Absolutely! momondo offers this feature when searching for a car hire in Germany.

You can specifically filter for enhanced cleaning on car hire in Germany on momondo.

Unlimited mileage is indeed an option momondo offers on car hire in Germany.