Germany car hire

Standard (Ford S-MAX or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Germany.

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

You will need to remember to drive on the right-hand side of the road when you rent a car in Germany. The roads are very well maintained and the highways are clearly signposted, allowing traffic to flow smoothly. When you see blue highway signs, you will be driving on an Autobahn that consists of three lanes. When at a junction, you must give priority to those on the right. You must also always carry a warning triangle and add headlamp beam deflectors to your car. The only toll roads that you will encounter are at the Warnow and Herrem Tunnels.

If you plan to rent a car in Germany, the minimum age for drivers is 21 years. You will need to provide a valid driver’s license and passport. If a driver is under the age of 23, there is also a young driver surcharge. For non-European drivers, your license will be accepted only if you have been in the EU for less than six months and have no visas.

When you rent a car in Germany, you will find that the average price of petrol in Germany is considerably higher, at €1.53 ($1.72) per liter (around $6.31 per gallon). You will find plenty of 24h petrol stations along most major roads, offering both self- and full-service; plus, they will accept credit cards.

When you drive in Germany, you need to be aware that each road has its own speed restriction. On most Autobahns, there are no maximum speed limits, although the recommended top speed is 130 km/h (80 mph). In rural areas the speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph) while in urban areas the limit decreases to 50 km/h (31 mph).