With the Single European Market, European Union (EU) citizens are subject only to spot checks and can go through the blue or green customs channel when arriving from another EU country.
Most companies hire cars to anyone who is 18 or over, but may charge extra for drivers under 21. Some also have restrictions when it comes to certain types of cars, such as sports cars. You may be required to have held your licence for a certain amount of time.
der Führerschein dehr fuer-rer-shyn
driving licence
die Teilkaskoversicherung dee tyl-kaskoh-ferzikher-roong
partially comprehensive insurance
die Vollkaskoversicherung dee fol-kas-koh-ferzikher-roong
comprehensive insurance
I want to hire a car
Ich möchte ein Auto mieten ikh mur’kh-te yn owtoh meeten
for one day
für einen Tag fuer yn-en tahk
for … days
für … Tage fuer … tah-ge
How much is the car…?
Was kostet das Auto…? vas kostet das owtoh…?
per day
pro Tag proh tahk
per week
pro Woche proh vokh-e
How much is the deposit?
Wie hoch ist die Kaution? vee hohkh ist dee kow-tsiohn?
Is there a kilometre charge?
Verlangen Sie eine Kilometergebühr? ferlangen zee yn-e kiloh-mehter-gebuer?
What is included in the insurance?
Was ist alles in der Versicherung inbegriffen? vas ist al-es in dehr ferzikher-roong inbegriffen?
Must I return the car here?
Muss ich das Auto hierher zurückbringen? moos ikh das owtoh heer-hehr tsooruek-bringen?
By what time?
Bis wann? bis van?
I’d like to leave it in…
Ich würde es gern in … abgeben ikh vuer-de es gern in … apgehben
What do I do if I…?
Was mache ich…? vas makh-e ikh…?
break down
bei einer Panne by yn-er pan-e
have an accident
bei einem Unfall by yn-em oonfall
YOU MAY HEAR…
Bitte bringen Sie das Auto voll betankt zurückbit-e bringen zee das owtoh fol be-tankt tsooruek
The speed limits in Germany are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 100 km/h on ordinary roads. There is no speed restriction on motorways, though 130 km/h is recommended. Be careful though: some sections do have restrictions and these are signposted. Most cities have controlled parking areas: watch out for Zone signs. You cannot park within these zones.
Is this the road to…?
Ist das die Straße nach…? ist das dee shtrah-se nahkh…?
Which junction is it for…?
Welche Anschlussstelle führt nach…?vel-khe anshloos-shtel-e fuert nahkh…?
Most petrol stations are self-service. Petrol is more expensive at motorway service stations. An Autohof or Rasthof (a truck stop) is a cheaper alternative. These do not have their own motorway exit but are situated a little further away from the motorway and reached by a regular exit. They usually have fairly good restaurant options for the likes of a motorway service station, better than those found at a Raststätte.
das Benzin das bentseen
petrol
das Öl das ur’l
oil
das Super das zooper
standard unleaded
das Super Plus das zooper ploos
super unleaded
Is there a petrol station near here?
Ist hier in der Nähe eine Tankstelle? ist heer in dehr neh-e yn-e tank-shtel-e?
Fill it up, please
Voll tanken, bitte fol tangken, bit-e
Please check the oil/the water/the tyre pressure
Bitte überprüfen Sie das Öl/das Wasser/den Reifendruckbit-e ueber-pruefen zee das ur’l/das vasser/dehn ryfen-drook/
If you break down on a German motorway, by law you should place a warning triangle 100 metres behind your vehicle. The main breakdown company is the ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club). If you need help, their emergency number is 22 22 22.
I’ve got a flat tyre
Ich habe einen Platten ikh hah-be yn-en plat-en
My car has broken down
Ich habe eine Autopanne ikh hah-be yn-e owtoh-pan-e
The car won’t start
Das Auto springt nicht an das owtoh shpringt nikht an
I’ve run out of petrol
Ich habe kein Benzin mehr ikh hah-be kyn bentseen mehr
Is there a garage near here?
Ist eine Werkstatt in der Nähe? ist yn-e verkshtat in dehr neh-e?
Can you tow me to the nearest garage?
Könnten Sie mich bis zur nächsten Werkstatt abschleppen?kur’nten zee mikh bis tsoor neh-ksten verkshtat apshleppen?
