German driving test cheat sheet

German driving license
  • driving license
  • fahrschule
  • German
  • cheat sheet

Table of Contents

Introduction

Each topics related to german driving test 🚗 will be listed in points. Use this as cheat sheet

Drugs

Any consumption drugs can lead to

  • widthrawl of license
  • fine or imprisonment may be upto to 5 years
  • To get back the license, have to attend Medical Pyschological Assessment(MPA)

Alcohol

  • Alcohol is broken down the body by 0.1 per mille per hour.

Hasish

  • It breakdown unevenly in indetermine period of time.
  • Cannabis can be detected in urine for several weeks

Activity while driving

  • You need to have a hands free unit to attend a telephone call while driving.
  • Even when you are using hands free unit, you need to pay attention and you can also be distracted by the operation process.
  • If you don't pass, you can use telephone only if the car is parked in suitable place and engine is turned off.
  • Loud music can cause two issues , driver is distracted and blind road users are affected due to uncertainity of the loud bass music.
  • Long travel fatigue can be prevented by gymnastic exercise at the stops and well timed and frequent stops during the journey
  • Don't be assertive to other road users.
  • Don't always insist your right of way
  • If someone waives right of way you can then use it.
  • There are two types of brake service brake(foot brake), parking brake(hand brake)

Penalty points system

  • Breaking the law above 60€ and offense are register in driving aptitude register in Flensberg
  • Each entries are mapped to points
  • Point based penalty system is to provide traffic behaviour in accordance with the law
  • one,two or three points are entered per violation

1 point

  • Given for breach of law endangering traffic safety ex: Some speed violationm parking offense and wrong tires.
  • Points are settled again earliest after two and half years

2 point

  • Given for traffic offense with ban on driving, or for offense particularly endangering traffic safety ex: driving under influence of Alcohol, crossing red traffic lights or turning and reversing in autobhan.
  • Settlement period is 5 years.

3 point

  • Given for offense with suspension of driving license or isolated ban ex: death/bodily harm due to negligent driving, hit and run or failure to render assitance.
  • Settlement period is 10 years.
Points table: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
0 - no points
1-3 - Authorities will do a prior notice
4-5 - You are reprimanded(formal expression) in writing by the authorities
6-7 - You are warned
8 - Your driving license is gone.

In course of reparimand and warned zone you can voluntarily attend driver aptitude seminar(FES).It is not mandatory

License certificate part 1

  • You should always carry it while driving
  • It also contains due date for the next general inspection
  • The exterior mirrors make your vehicle wider than indicated in the papers
  • It is identical in content to the registration certificate Part II
  • If needed the LC1 is updated based on the technical modification
  • Stick the inspection report for the modification done.

List of things

  • Code 5: Vehicle category
  • Code 7.1-7.3: Permissible axle load in kg
  • Code 18: Vehicle length
  • Code 19: Vehicle width (Attention: The exterior mirrors make your vehicle wider than indicated in the papers.)
  • Code 20: Vehicle height
  • Code F.1: Maximum permissible laden mass
  • Code G: Empty mass
  • Code P.1: Engine displacement
  • Code P.2/P.4: Nominal power in kW/kg (motorcycles only)
  • Code Q: Power-to-weight ratio in kW/kg (motorcycles only)
  • Code S.1: Seats including driver's seat
  • Code T: Maximum speed in km/h

License certificate part 2

  • You dont need to carry it while driving
  • It is regarded as proof of type approval and is required for approval or decommissioning
  • Important vehicle data such as engine size, performance, dimension and weights
  • Name of the keeper and if applicable that of the owner(maximum two entries)
  • Details concerning deregistration and registration of the vehicle.
  • List of technical changes of the vehicle

Vehicle modification

  • If you have modified your vehicle, you will lose your operating license and your insurance is invalid.
  • If you nevertheless use the vehicle on public road, you will be fined with entry in to Central registers for road traffic
  • Your motor vehicle must have liability insurance
  • Liability insurance servers to regulate the damage that have inflicted on other, irrespective of financial sitution, the insurance gurantess the injured person is compensated.
  • If the insurance is expired, the motor vehicle must be de-registered at the registration office, failure to do will result in fine.
  • Change in your name or address have to be reported to the licensing authority
  • Date of next inspection is available in both rear license plate and LC1

License plate

  • A license number is an official document, which may not be altered in any way.
  • Therefore, do not attach any foils or stickers to your license plate.
  • Rear plat must be lit in dark

Driving signs

Refer Road signs for quick visual summary

  • Traffic ban for motor vehicles includes car and truck.
  • Black arrows represents traffic has priority over the other
  • Red arrow respresents the traffic which has to yield to the other traffic users
  • Same can be observed in the overtaking, Red color motor vehiches should not overtake black color vehicles.
  • No parking zone, where you can stop but can't park/wait in the area.
  • Overtaking with additional signs in terms of the distance. It means the sign will be effective from the distance mentioned.
  • The Federal roads are displayed in rectangular with yellow signs with number
  • The Autobhan road are displayed in rectangular with pentagon shap of blue color background and white number
  • The European roads are displayed in rectangular board with green color background and white number
  • Maut sign = Toll route
  • Road closed sign is called Cul de Sac. Which means end of the road or dead end street.
  • If there is a district sign or Name of town. The maximum allowed speed is 50kmph. Free choice of marked lanes for vehicle under 3.5t
  • Minimum speed need to maintain in motorway/expressway is 60kmph
  • Hard shoulder lane sign - (The sign with three arrows) The hard shoulders can be used as a traffic lane. This is like driving in the right lane. The lane separator can be crossed like a huided marking. Hard shoulder can also used for driving slow moving vehicles. You must not stop left of it.
  • "U 22" A diversion for Autobhan traffic when requried
  • Gas stations have text to differentiate station or Gas
    • H2 = hydrogen gas fuel station
    • CNG = Natural gas fuel station
    • LPG = auto gas fuel station
    • Electric cord - Charging station for electric vehicles.
  • Zoll Douane - Customs
  • if the additional signs consists of arrow mark with some distance, it indicates the length of the danger.
  • if additional sign consists of distance without arrow, it inidcates place of danger or the sign before they appear.
  • The traffic sign outside built up area indicates the hazard is between 150m to 250m
  • Andrew cross with crossed three red stripes indicates the distance of rails crossing is 240m. Each red strip indicates 80m before the rail crossing.
  • In Autobhan , the exit has countdown marker with two white stripes on a blue board indicating the distance of the exit. It starts from 300m.
  • Look out for Snow or black ice warning sign. Be careful in autumn, winter and spring, drive slowly and don't make sudden movements with steering.
  • White circle with 3 cross stripes indicates end of restriction related to Speeding and overtaking
  • You can recognize the shortest route to the nearest emergency call post using the black arrows (direction triangles) on the reflector post. They point the way on federal motorways.
  • The permissable total weight
    • On the one hand, t 'stands for tons and thus refers to the actual weight. The actual weight is calculated from the empty weight of the vehicle plus the current load The empty weight of the vehicle is noted in the vehicle documents. As a car driver, you are required to know the weight of your vehicle.
    • However, the traffic sign may also refer to the permissible total weight if the 't' is additionally marked by a white symbol.

Traffic police hand signals

The police officer regulates traffic by the help of body gestures. A transversely outstretched arm to the engine means you have to stop at the intersection. If the officer stands with his chest looking towards you, your direction of travel is locked. With two outstretched arms or arms pressed to the body, he can release the direction of travel. If the policeman is standing sideways towards you and you can see his profile, you are allowed to drive slowly. If his arm is stretched upwards, you have to stop and if the traffic is closed, you may continue driving soon. Vehicles in an intersection must leave.

The police officer gives the traffic instructions by his body position and with specific arm movements. A raised arm means: The drivers waiting at the intersection are not allowed to continue driving, previously locked drivers should prepare for the onward journey. For this, the policeman spreads his arms from the body or puts them on the body, depending on the instructions. If the police officer stands with his chest to the driver, the driver must stop. If the police officer stands sideways and the driver sees his profile, the driver may continue driving at a moderate speed.

Lane markings

  • Zebra crossing

    • Approach slowly and stop if neccessary in order to allow pedestrians to cross the road.
    • Do not overtake. Stopping at pedestrian crossings and up to 5m before is prohibited.

  • Stop line

    • In addition to stopping or waiting prohibitions by traffic signs regulating right of way.
    • It also indicates drivers must stop here. If neccessary driver must stop again at the line of sight.

  • Lane borderline

    • The lane borderline separates the part of the road reserved for oncoming traffic or several lanes for equidirectional traffic from one another.
    • Drivers should not cross the straight line even partially.

  • Carriageway borderline

    • As carriageway borderline, the straight line can also mark a hard shoulder or special path.
    • if it demarcates(distinguish) a special path , it can be crossed only if there are parking places behind it that cannot be reached otherwise.
    • And the users of special path are not jeoparadise or impeded.

  • One-sided lane borderline

    • Users on straight white line are not allowed to cross and may park the vehicle if the distance between parked and white line is more than 3m
    • User on the stipped white line they can cross only if they dont jeoparadise or impeded the traffic.

  • Arrow marks

    • Arrows recommend the driver to fall in the right lane to proceed to intended direction.
    • Vehicle can be overtaken from the right.

  • Announcement arrows

    • It indicates a end of lane.

  • Blocked off areas

    • Blocked off areas must not be used by vehicles.

  • Demarcation for stopping and parking

    • Demarcations for stopping and parking prohibitions indicate, extend or shorten the prescribed stopping or parking prohibitions.

  • Shark teeth

    • The marking emphasise a right-to-left waiting obligation or right of way for cyclist.
    • Its a yield line to give a way, priority to conflicting vehicles or pedestrian or cyclist.

  • Inside built up area , motor vehicles less than 3.5t are free to chose the lane. In this case one may travel faster than on right than on the left.

Autobhan & Clearways

  • It can be used only the vehicle can travel faster than 60kmph.
  • Vehicle and load together is under 4m height and 2.55mm width. Projected load
  • Parking, stopping, making a u-turn is prohibited in these roads.
  • Traffic news on radio wans you about the traffic jams and driver driving in wrong way.
  • Its also dangerous to break down on Autobhan.
  • Stopping due to lack of fuel is also a punishable offense in Autobhan.
  • The law recommends you should not exceed a general recommended speed of 130 kmph on autobhans even if conditions are good.
  • The above recommendation also applies to road outside built up area if the road has
    • carriageways for a single direction separated by center lines or other constructions
    • at least two marked lanes for each direction.
  • The above rule applies to all motor vehicle under 3.5t.
  • Stopping on hard shoulders is prohibited

Joining the Autobhan

  • Joining or leaving autobhan is inidicated by the blue board sign.
  • Always join on the right and leave the autobhan on right.
  • Acceleration lanes, severs the purpose for the vehicle joining the autobhan can adjust the speed to that flow of the traffic.
  • It is very important , less the speed difference between vehicle and flow of traffic the less risk of safety.
  • Vehicles travelling on the Autobhan have priority.
  • Use the rear mirror and left outside mirror to have glimse of the traffic.
  • Make use of full acceleration lane to understand the traffic, if there is sufficient space take a brief look at the blind corner and then join.
  • If its impossible to join due to denser traffic then wait towards the end of the acceleration lane.

Single track vehicle:

A single-track vehicle is a vehicle that leaves a single ground track as it moves forward. Single-track vehicles usually have little or no lateral stability when stationary but develop it when moving forward or controlled ex: cylce, elctric scooters

Multi track vehicle:

A vehicle that leaves more than one ground track as it moves forward. ex: car, Truck, Bus.

Crosswinds

  • When in crosswinds , when you overtake a vehicle the slipstream can reduce the crosswinds. Don't countersteer during the slipstream as you can crash the overtaking vehicle.

Windshield

Turn your windscreen wipers to interval switching, during fog in order to remove fine water droplets from the mist. Turn on your windscreen wipers before overtaking or being overtaken so that obstructions caused by slush or spray water are immediately removed. Avoid fogged windows with the correct ventilation setting: Set ventilation to outside air supply and not to circulating air. Open the windows a gap to let the moisture escape. Briefly switching on the air conditioning dehumidifies the air very quickly. Rain after a dry weather, After turning on the windscreen wipers, it first worsens the view drastically

Power steering

The function of the power steering depends on the engine and only works when the engine is running. If the engine and the assistive function of the power steering fail, steering is considerably more difficult and you need more power. The steering is impaired in its function

Fog lamp

  • Rear fog lamp should be turned on only when visibility is reduced to less than 50m, but its not the case for front fog lamp.
  • Fog lamp is indicated by amber in dashboard

Overtaking

Overtaking formula

s = v1 / (v1−v2) * L

L = (length of my vehicle in meters + length of the overtaking vehicle + 2 * safety distance) safety distance is 50m.

So if i travel at 100 kmph and truck at 70 kmph, length of my car 4.5m and length of truck 12.5m.

L = 4.5+ 12.5 + 50 *2 = 117m

S = 100/(100-70) * 117 = ~400m approx.

But since oncoming traffic also travels at same speed double the value. So its 800m minimum distance to overtake.

Tram

  • If you do not obstruct or endanger the passengers getting on or off the tram, you may pass the stopping tram slowly at walking speed.
  • It is important to note that passengers have absolute priority in this situation and do not have to let moving traffic pass.
  • If necessary, you as the vehicle driver must stop and wait.

Stationary traffic

  • Stopping more than 3 minutes is parking
  • Parking before zebra crossing should be more than 5m
  • Parking 5m before and after the cross-roads are prohibited.
  • Parking 15m before and after bus stop signs
  • Parking a trailer without a truck more than 2 weeks in public roads is prohibited
  • Stopping before the traffic light should be atleast 10m to clearly view the traffic signals by other road users.
  • Parking outside built up area on unlit roads, parking and side lights must be turned on.

Centrifugal force

  • The centrifugal force can throw your vehicle out of the curve. When doubling the speed, the centrifugal force quadruples.
  • In addition, the curve radius influences this force as well.
  • The tighter the curve, the more the centrifugal force increases.
  • Therefore, you must brake early in tight corners.

Distance

  • Distance between vehicle inside built up area should br 15m or three car lengths
  • Outside built-up area should be two- second rule. ex: if you drive at 100kmph it should be 50m, which is half the speedometer reading in meters
  • With good visibility on a developed road, you must be able to stop within the assessable distance.
  • At night, the range of the low beam is considered assessable.
  • Car with trailer combination more than 7m should maintain a safe distance so that overtaking vehicle can pull in after overtaking.

Speed

  • Vehichles with 3.5t permissable total mass with trailer outside built up area can drive upto 80kmph
  • Vehichles with 3.5t permissable total mass with no trailer outside built up area can drive upto 100kmph
  • Vehicles fitted with snow chains has to drive maximum of 50kmph

Towing

  • In order to tow away a vehicle the driver of the towing vehicle needs a permit to drive the vehicle that he/she is helping
  • The distance between the vehicles involved in towing must not be greater than 5m
  • Towing rope or rod should be used, it should be identifiable by using a red flag at the middle.
  • Both vehicle hazard warning light has to be turned on
  • You should not enter autobhan when towing, you should only exit at the autobhan when towing.

Additional signs

  • Anliger frei - Free for Residents

  • Bewohner mit parkausweis NR ** frei - People with special parking permit exempted from stopping/parking. The parking permit must be diplayed and affixed in a clear manner.

  • bei nasse - if wet

  • mit parkschein - with parking ticket. Additional sign can limit the parking permit. the parking ticket must be placed visible inside windshield. Parking disc should be used only if parking ticket machine is defective.

  • mit parkausweis NR ** frei - Free with parking permit

  • Maut - Toll route

  • verkehrs helfer - Traffic helper aka traffic police personal in guiding the traffic.

  • auch - also

  • nur - only

  • umwelt zone - Environmental zone, with additional signs indicate what type of vehicles are allowed to pass . The color of the sticker is displayed on the lower end of windshield. (Pollutant sticker)

Priority roads

  • Stopping at right edge of the roadway and parking at the hard shoulder are allowed.
  • Parking is allowed on hard shoulders outside built-up area

Cycle routes

  • Moped riders use cycle paths inside built up area only if additional signs are specified.
  • Outside built up area moped rider generally take cycle routes. Even small electric vehicles use cycle paths
  • Children upto age of 8 must use pedestrian path to ride cycle and children upto age of 10 may use cycle path
  • Pedestrian may take one vehicle of upto 1m width in pedestrian path just moving the vehicle.
  • In Fahhradstraße mopeds are not allowed. And all cycle should travel less than 30kmph
  • In Fahhradstraße e-scooters, skaters and pedestrian are allowed unless they have explicitly specified.

Seatbelt

  • Always kids under age 12 and less than 1.5m(150cm) needs be placed in seat belt
  • Kids can be seated in passenger seat provided
    • airbag system is deactivated
    • kid is positioned opposite of the driving direction
  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Berries
    • Strawberries
    • Raspberries

Projected load

  • At front the project load must not be beyond the height of 2.50m and 50cm from the vehicle front
  • At side it should be under permissable total vehicle width 2.55m.
    • it should not obstruct the view of the mirror
    • No thin rods or board which has poor visibility to identify it.
  • In dark the project load width should not be more than 40cm
    • it should be identifiable by white light on the front side and red light at the rear of the projection load
    • Lamps may not be higher than 1.50m
  • At rear the project load may
    • project upto 3m if the road is upto 100km
    • project upto 1.5m if the road is more than 100km
  • As from 1.00m the project load must be identifiable by
    • bright red flag (30 x 30 cm)
    • bright red sign (30 x 30 cm)
    • a cylindrical body (30 x 35 cm)
  • In dark a red reflector and red Lamp
  • The devices for securing load should be
    • no more than 1.50m above the carriageway
    • reflectors no more than 90cm from the carriageway
  • Maximum distance the project load at rear without any projection marker should be 1m
  • Roof load and maximum permistted gross vehicle weight in LC1 must not be exceeded
  • If any cargo items have been fallen, dirver should remove or inform the road maintance or police if he cannot remove the obstacle from the road.

Dimensions

  • Vehicle maximum combination length should be 18m excluding load
  • Vehicle maximum combination length should be 20.75m including load.
  • Vehicle width of max 2.55m including load
  • Vehicle height of max 4m including load

Environmental

  • Driving at higher the enginer speed can cause more consumption of fuel.

Electronic Aids

List of electronic aids ABS, ABV ESP, ASR etc. They help in active safety and avoid accidents.

Reference: Youtube

Anti Slip Regulation or Traction control system (ASR)

ASR prevents the wheels from spinning while accelerating and reduces the risk of skidding sideways on a slippery road.

Anti-lock bracking system (ABS)

The rpm of the individual wheels are measured continously in vehicles with ABS. If a wheel locks while bracking, the electronic reduces the braking force at the respective wheel to the extent that the wheel turns again evenly.

This takes place approx 50 times per secons. A pulsing brake pedal is therfore completely normal in the "control range" of the ABS.

ABS cannot shorten the braking path, but ensures steerability in case of emergency braking. the vehicle also brakes best possible on a slippery road and you can continue to evade.

Electronic Stability Progaram (ESP)

The ESP identifies critical driving states skidding at he curve etc. and the vehicle is stabilised e.g with eleronic braking intervention.

Cruise control

This control supports you by maintaining a consistent speed and an energy saving driving mode. Thus you can rest your right foot. But think about deactivating the cruise control in specific situations , otherwise it can become dangerous . for example you could be caught by a speed camera if there is a speed limit, you could drive too close to the vehicle in front when it brakes or you could fly out of a close curve because you were driving too fast.

Cruise control can be overriden by braking or accelerating

Adaptive cruise control

The adaptive cruise control accelerates independently to a preset speed, measures the distance to the preceding vehicle and brakes to ensure that safe distance is maintained. as in the case of all assitance system, you may not become careless here too and must continue to be attentive and intervene yourself when in doubt you can "override" the system by braking or accelerating yourself. Also consider theat heavy rain or snowfall can defect the system. The main difference is ACC can detect slow moving vehicle ahead and adapt the speed of the car.

Lane departyre warning system (LDW)

The lane departure warning system uses the lane markings to register if the vehicle might leave the lane.

You will then be warned e.g by a vibrating steering wheel or the vehicle intervenes in the steering independently.

However this assistance system has limited functionality when there are no marking or the road is dirty.

Youtube

Park Distance Control (PDC)

There are different kinds of parking aids e.g as acoustic or warning asystem that measures the distance to the vehicles and 'notifies' when it gets too close.

A further development is the so-called parking assistant. It measures the gap while driving past and even takes over the steering for you.

Parking disc can only be used only if the parking machine is defective

Overtaking these system

Car tyre thread

Motorcycle and car tires must have a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm.

Trailer

  • The bearing load is the mass that rests on the coupling device of the towing vehicle.
  • To determine it, the car driver can place a piece of wood or a pipe underneath the coupling point of the trailer and place a bathroom scale underneath.
  • The bearing load is displayed. The minimum load to be carried by the towing vehicle shall not be less than 4% of the trailer's total weight for trailers with a gross vehicle weight of not more than 3.5 tons. However, a minimum load of 25 kg is sufficient. In this example, the minimum support load is 24 kg. When loading the trailer, you, as a car driver, must be careful not to undercut or exceed the minimum and maximum permitted load. By shifting the load, you can influence the bearing load.
  • Only the actually dragged load is called trailer load, in other words the weight of the trailer.
  • The manufacturer sets this value for carrying a trailer.

Point before exam

  • Total number of questions / time per questions (2 mins)
  • Try to find the marks on the top right of the question
  • Always omit the obvious wrong answers
  • Try to focus on the words as it can have both negative and positive meaning if not viewed correctly
  • Video question, try to stop at the end of the video to have more assessment of the situations
    • Try identify the color of the subjects in video
    • Focus on different subjects for every try and assess the intention of the subject
    • Focus on the legs of person behind a truck or large vehicle at the end of the video
    • Focus on the color of the vehicles which are coming from obscure position.