DRIVING IN GERMANY CULTURE SHOCKS | What Surprises Americans

Culture Shock driving in the US: On my second day after moving to the United States I didn't have a Florida Drivers license. I got caught speeding, 60 mph instead of 55 mph. The officer asked for the drivers license, so I handed my "grey german paper license". He looked at it, looked at me and asked: "Where are you from?" ... "Germany" ... He again glanced at me and said: "Okay, you guys over there know how to drive fast. But: This is not an Autobahn, so please slow down ... just a bit. Have a nice day!"

For me, a German living in Las Vegas, driving here is like a nightmare. You always have to look around as you never know what others are doing. This shows the number of accidents you see on a daily basis no matter where you drive. The LVPD records nearly 61 crashes PER DAY and 284 people killed per year in 2019. In comparison, I chose Munich as I thought it has a similar metro population with 21 people dead, however, the metro area of Las Vegas has about 2.3 Million people and Munich nearly 6 Million. In addition, Munich has trams, tunnels, bicyclists and Autobahns and way more confusing traffic patterns than Las Vegas and still has way less people killed on the road. I remember doing the driving test in Las Vegas. The Handbook is like 40 years old as it states "Do not switch gears when driving over a railroad crossing???". Really, that is important? Nothing in there on when to use your high beams but how many drugs will be what sentence. Due to that, you see people driving at night either with their high beams on or with no light at all, it's optional;-)

A little addition to the mandatory first aid kit: in Germany, you are required by law to render first aid or at least call for help if you come by a traffic accident. Failure to do so is punishable with up to a year in prison or a hefty fine.

Two things you forgot to tell about the driver license here. To get the license you have to do a weekend training in first aid to help other people who get injured by an accident (you have to help by law in Germany) and you gave to go to an optical test at the doctor to make sure your eyes are completely fine. Without this two certificates you are not allowed to do the drivers license test. And thanks, you are so right with all you tell about German drivers. It is funny to hear but it is 100% the truth.

maybe you should mention that discussions about introducing a speed limit in germany are at least as emotional as discussions about gun control in the USA. ^^

I am German and I once stumbled upon a YouTube video in which someone filmed a German crossroad for several minutes. On this crossroad the signs went off and everyone around the world admired the German drivers for not ending in chaos. Everything was still smooth, no accidents and German viewers tried to explain the rule "right before left" to others in the comments. I was fascinated about how fascinated people could be by a German crossroad. :D

Long story short : You can service, repair or modify you car yourself at home. There is no regulation that is prohibiting this at all. The "GarVo" mentioned is for construction and tax purposes as well as for security regulations regarding construction and maintenance of garages. So you are welcome to restore your barn find @home :)

guys, it's not just Germany... in all of EU you're legally obligated to have the first aid kit, a reflective vest and triangle in your car at all times also, you need to have winter tyres during the winter and in certain parts of countries that often have snow you need to have chains as well 🤷

What I love about the Autobahn is not so much that I can travel at 200+ km/h but that one can simply cruise without having to constantly monitor your speed. The Autobahn is quite safe and German accident rates are less than many other countries which simply proves .... its not speed that kills but speed in the wrong situation that is the killer.

17:30 Doing maintenance and tuning on your own car by yourself is actually legal in Germany. Maintenance can actually be done without approval but tuning your car has to be approved by TÜV.

8:30 I think a big thing is that in Germany, they're taught to follow traffic rules extremely well, as these rules are there for a reason, to keep traffic predictable and people safe! [Edit] on the first aid kit, you're also obligated to know how to use it, and to aid in any situation in which aid is required!

Growing up in Germany, we always groaned when we encountered an American car driving (schleichen) on the Autobahn. In our area, there were several U.S. bases and we would encounter lots of American cars and drivers, easily recognizable by their license plates. Luckily, most of them stayed in the slow lanes but sometimes, they would pass very slowly and hold up traffic, and it earned them many honks. Generally, I would say German drivers are much more disciplined and better trained, than their U.S. counter parts. They may be impatient but they're better skilled drivers and more aware of their surroundings. Since I've lived in the States now for many years, I've noticed a change in drivers here. Whereas in the beginning people used to be courteous and patient, this has drastically changed, at least where I live. The passing on the right and left side drives me insane, and frankly it's dangerous as hell. Rarely do people go the speed limit on the highway anymore, and the weaving in and out of lanes is hair raising sometimes. I also notice people who are totally unaware of what's going on around them and drive in their own fantasy lane or middle of the road, oncoming traffic or traffic behind you, be damned. I see a lot of texting or talking on phones, even though it's illegal, it is rarely enforced. I've watched people shave in cars, apply make-up and even reading!!! My husband just got into an accident, while minding his own business in the right lane and the driver in the left lane making a lane change right in front of him and side swiping him. Luckily we have dash cams in our cars, and yes, it is that bad now.

I'm an American, but have lived in Munich for more than a decade, so I have car-related culture shock when I go back to the US. Well, the first thing is how hard it is to get around without it. In Munich, I don't need a car at all, so when my US license expired, I just never bothered to renew it. It is pretty limiting in the US, though - in my hometown, basically I can't do anything unless someone gives me a ride. Beyond that, even as someone who doesn't drive anymore, I really feel the differences in driving skill. I was in Orlando once, and I witnessed three crashes in three days just walking around. All cars just running into the car in front of them in traffic.

My German friend was over the alcohol limit and got his license suspended for two years. The police found out that he wasn't even living in Germany, he had a business abroad, so they emailed him telling him they know this, and that the counting will start when he comes back to live in Germany permanently again. That's heavy.

When I was on vacation in the US I found that driving on a 2 or 3 lane highway is pretty stressing and insanely dangerous because the US does not have the "overtaking on the right is illegal" rule, even though you must never exceed 90 or 100 or even less kmh. You have to pay attention to both sides of your car all the time. If you ever go to France, note that the rule "right before left" is strictly adhered to, you never look to your left but only to your right, even when you are turning left. Whoever is or comes from the right has right of way. It is the only way to navigate the huge roundabouts in Paris e.g.

To be fair, a four way stop does not exist here. There's the general rule that someone on your right or doing a right turn goes first, and you being "nice" and giving someone your turn just makes everyone slower. Just follow the rules and it'll all go faster 😅

The average for a driver's license is about 2500€ to 3000€. If you fail your driving test, that alone is about 450€ for the redo, including a couple of hours of forced driving lessons.

For me the most surprising moment while driving abroad happend when I was in driving in Iran. I was in Tehran in Winter time and it started to snow and the snow remained on the road. Instantly the complete city went into total chaos and the traffic stopped almost instantly. After almost two hours I managed to reach one of the main roundabouts in the city and there I saw the most shocking thing for me as a German. Several of the drivers just left their cars locked it and went away while their cars where blocking the roads even more. This would never ever have happened here. The second shock I had was in the US when I was stopped in the US for speeding and the officer which was alone in his car told me that I was going three miles to fast and that he has read this from his laser device. So I asked him which measuring tolerance will be deducted and if I can have a copy of the picture he has taken. The guy looked at me as if I am from a different planet and informed me that no tolerance will be deducted and that there is no evidence except his word that I was going that speed. This was obviously long time ago before I saw all this videos about how dangerous my behaviour in fact has been. I found and still find it disturbing that in the so called "Land of the Free" the police can charge you with fines without any proof of the wrong doing. I don't want to say that they do it purposely but mistakes happen and if you ever read figures from a 7 segment display you know how easy it is to read a 8 instead of a 6.

Germany is so impressive. I'll never forget it. Changed my life. I was enchanted with how beautiful it is.

My first cultural shock as a German driver in the US was sitting on a picknick ground nearby the border of Massachusetts and New Hampshire and watching the traffic. It was a nice spring saturday and the highway was filled by bikers. They all stopped by, put off their helmets and roared on in the direction of New Hampshire. Then we learned about the state's motto: Live free or die!