Motorways & expressways
Merging, rules, traffic jams and the emergency corridor
Who may use Autobahns and expressways?
Only motor vehicles designed to go faster than 60 km/h – with a trailer, this also applies to the trailer. Pedestrians and cyclists are banned. On expressways (sign 331.1) largely the same rules apply: no stopping, U‑turns or reversing. Enter only at junctions; through traffic has priority.
Joining correctly
- Accelerate briskly on the slip lane to the speed of the right lane
- Indicate left
- Mirror and shoulder check – find a gap
- Merge without hindering through traffic
- Traffic on the main carriageway has priority
- Don't cross the solid line
Forbidden on the Autobahn
- Stopping and parking – also on the hard shoulder (except breakdowns)
- U‑turns and reversing – including on slip roads
- Driving on the hard shoulder – unless sign 223.1 allows it
- Overtaking on the right – except in queues
- Missed your exit? Continue to the next one
- Driving through the emergency corridor
Overtaking on the right?
Forbidden
- Generally on the Autobahn
- When traffic on the left is flowing
- Pulling out right to get ahead faster
Exception allowed
- Left‑lane traffic is stationary or doing at most 60 km/h
- Then at most 20 km/h faster
- And with extreme caution
The emergency corridor
On Autobahns and roads outside towns with at least two lanes per direction: as soon as traffic slows to walking pace or stops, the far‑left lane moves left and all other lanes move right – immediately, not only when you hear sirens. Failing to form a corridor: from €200 and 2 points, up to €320 and a 1‑month ban if others are hindered or endangered.
Remember: the thumb rule
Hold up your right hand, palm down: the thumb is the left lane – it moves left. All other fingers are the other lanes – they move right. The gap between thumb and index finger is the emergency corridor.
This is what an emergency corridor looks like
Left lane to the left, all others to the right – so rescue crews get through fast. Every minute counts.
This source question references an image or scene that is not yet supplied. Do not use it for scored practice.
Traffic jams and wrong‑way drivers
- End of a jam: switch on hazard lights to warn drivers behind
- In a jam: form the emergency corridor, stay in your vehicle
- Switch off the engine when standing for longer
- Wrong‑way driver warning: keep far right, don't overtake
- Slow down, increase your distance
- If possible, pull into the next rest area
Signs on Autobahns and expressways
Sign 330.1: Motorway
Sign 330.2: End of motorway
Sign 331.1: Expressway (motor road)
Sign 331.2: End of expressway
Sign 448: Motorway exit announcement
Sign 332: Motorway exit sign
Sign 333: Motorway exit arrow
Sign 223.1-50: Use hard shoulder (two lanes)
Sign 223.2-50: Stop using hard shoulder (two lanes)
Sign 223.3-50: Leave hard shoulder (two lanes)
Sign 275-30: Minimum speed 30 km/h
Sign 328: Emergency lay-byYou are in a traffic jam in the middle of three lanes. How do you form the emergency corridor?
- I move to the left
- I move to the right
- I stay in the middle until emergency vehicles arrive
Check answer
I move to the right
Only the far‑left lane moves left – all others move right. The corridor must be formed immediately.
Joining and leaving
Accelerate on the slip lane, find a gap and leave the Autobahn via the exit lane.
This specific scenario is not implemented in the web edition yet. drive_autobahn
Forming an emergency corridor
Traffic is slowing – form the corridor in good time, before the ambulance arrives.
This specific scenario is not implemented in the web edition yet. drive_rescue_lane