The German road signs football fans need to know ahead of the 2024 Euros
Get to grips with German road signs before your 2024 Euros road trip
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With more than 2.7 million tickets made available to football fans for this summer’s European Championships, the streets of Germany are set to be flooded with supporters from England, Scotland and all over Europe.
Taking place across 10 host cities, millions of attendees will be clocking up the miles in the hope of seeing their country reach the final in Berlin.
Scottish fans, for example, can expect to total about 360 miles between their first and second group game, with a 6-hour car trip separating the cities of Munich and Cologne.
English supporters, meanwhile, will need to tackle a 3-hour drive to watch their two opening matches in Gelsenkirchen and Frankfurt.
So, what better time to brush up on German road signs and Autobahn tips before the hotly anticipated tournament?
We have the lowdown on the road signs and rules to keep in mind while cruising between the likes of Dortmund, Hamburg and Leipzig in your used BMW or VW.
Traffic restriction zone
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In an effort to improve air quality across the country, several major cities in Germany have introduced ‘environmental zones’. To access these areas, signposted by the road sign above, drivers need to display specific ‘Umweltplakette’ or emissions stickers.
Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor, explained: “The ‘Umwelt’ sign restricts access to certain areas of a city based on your vehicle’s emission standards.
“The sign appears next to a second one indicating which colour sticker you must have to enter the zone. Most environmental zones accept only cars with a green sticker, awarded to eco-friendly vehicles with good emission standards.
“Many locations hosting this year’s Euros are home to environmental zones, including Munich and Cologne. So, whether you’re attending Scotland’s inaugural game against Germany or England’s final group match against Slovenia, make sure you have the right sticker before setting off.”
Priority road starts/ends
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This yellow diamond can be found all over Germany. If you spot it, you’ll be glad to know that you have right of way.
In fact, this road sign indicates the start of a stretch of road where you have priority at all upcoming intersections and over all merging traffic.
But what if the yellow diamond is crossed by three diagonal stripes? It means that your temporary privilege has come to an end.
Snow chains required
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Hopefully you won’t encounter snowy weather during your commute from one stadium to the next.
However, if you fancy an off-route excursion to the stunning German mountains, you may still come across this sign as you drive closer to the summit.
Despite the quirky design, this circular blue sign is pretty intuitive to understand. Featuring a tyre covered in chains, it's recommending that you fit snow chains to your wheels to navigate the road ahead safely.
Be aware that the maximum speed limit for affected roads is 50km/h.
One-way street
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If your German is a bit rusty, the word ‘Einbahnstraße’ might leave you baffled behind the wheel. But don’t worry – it’s not complicated.
All it’s saying is that you’re entering a one-way street designated for traffic flowing in one direction only. The direction of travel is indicated by the arrow on the sign.
Green arrow at a traffic light
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Stopped at a red traffic light? If you fail to recognise this small road sign, you might earn a few beeps from impatient motorists behind you.
This green arrow on a black background allows you to make a specific turn at an intersection, even if the traffic light is showing red. However, you should always give precedence to pedestrians and other road users before making the turn.
Bear in mind that this particular sign is more commonly found in the eastern part of the country, where host cities such as Berlin and Leipzig are located.
No toilet stops in nature
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If you’re driving through German forests or country lanes and are in desperate need of a loo break, make sure to head towards a service station or a public toilet.
This is especially true if you spot this sign with a person squatting among trees.
This unusual road sign indicates that it’s forbidden to go to the toilet al fresco in the surrounding area. So, if mother nature is calling, turn on your sat nav and find directions to the closest public toilets.
Autobahn rules
Famous for its stretches without fixed speed limits, the German Autobahn is an iconic network of motorways developed in the 1920s.
Most sections of the Autobahn have a recommended speed limit of 130km/h, which drivers can stick to – or not – at their discretion.
However, it’s also important to note that about 30% of the Autobahn network has specific speed limits – just as in the UK. So, make sure you abide by the rules to always stay safe and avoid hefty fines.
If you’re worried about the lack of speed regulations on German motorways, rest assured that the general standard of driving across the country is high due to strict tests and training. The Autobahn network is also consistently praised for its safety record.
Despite that reassurance, it's still worth bearing in mind the following advice:
Remain in the right lane whenever possible. Much like UK roads, motorists must keep to inside lanes unless overtaking.
Don’t forget to fill up before a long trip to your next match. German police have discretion to hand out on-the-spot fines for driving offences, and running out of fuel could be a one-way ticket to a pricey penalty.
Take a break when you need one. Autobahn driving can be long and taxing, so be sure to stop at a service station every so often to rest up and stretch your legs.
With the Euros kicking off in a few weeks, it’s wise to take time to familiarise yourself with Germany’s road signs and regulations.
If you’re driving around Deutschland to support England or Scotland, stay safe and enjoy the experience!