They provided a study guide (in English, thankfully!), and there was a 3-hour video prior to taking the exam. The video began at 7:30 a.m. in a room that quickly got warm, so staying awake was the first challenge. The video was really more a slideshow with the narrator pointing a laser to explain navigation rules. But I got through it. I passed. And our car should be here in a few days!
Some German driving laws:
1. Thirty-second warm-up: After initially starting their vehicles, drivers should idle the engine for 30 seconds to allow it to warm up.
2. Good Samaritan Law: The German Criminal Code states that whoever, in case of accident or common danger or distress does not render aid...will be punished by imprisonment for up to 1 year.
3. Drivers on the autobahn must not run out of gas. They will be fined. Walking is not permitted on the autobahn.
4. When stopped at a railroad crossing for longer than 30 seconds, the driver must turn off the ignition.
5. Vehicle Security: the driver must ensure parked vehicles have closed windows and locked doors. Failure to secure vehicle is illegal.
6. Traffic signals: The yellow light comes on before red AND before green. (German drivers are aggressive...if you're not on the gas immediately when it turns green they get angry. But, hey, you had your warning.)
7. Vision: the driver's vision must be free of obstructions. (Sorry, no stuffed animal or bobble head collections allowed on the dashboard.)
8. Pedestrian zones: There are signs that indicate where children may be playing in the road, so drive slowly. (Go ahead: play in the road, kids!)
9. Drivers must not drink alcohol within 6 hours after being in an accident.
10. To use a cell phone (without Bluetooth) you must stop your vehicle and turn off the engine.
9. Drivers must not drink alcohol within 6 hours after being in an accident.
10. To use a cell phone (without Bluetooth) you must stop your vehicle and turn off the engine.
The one that threw mw for a loop, was no right turn on red...ever. Not sure if that is still a law there. But a guy in my group failed the road test because he did a right turn on red. The German tester had a fit. For at least a year after I returned from Germany I would just sit at red lights trying to figure out why people were honking.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's something new, but they do have an arrow next to the red light if you're allowed to turn right on red at a particular intersection. I'm glad I didn't have to take a road test. I think I've already managed to break at least 3 laws!
DeleteOops...my driver broke the "no right on red" law a few times. :/ But I did like the yellow light before the green...that was pretty cool. ;)
ReplyDelete