8Speed and Distance

Germany has three default speed environments, each with its own baseline limit. Knowing these defaults is fundamental because they apply whenever no other sign modifies them.

Inside built-up areas (innerorts): the default speed limit is 50 km/h. This applies from the moment you pass the yellow town name sign (sign 310, Ortstafel) until you pass the corresponding end-of-town sign (sign 311, with a red diagonal line through the town name). Within this zone, 50 km/h is the maximum unless a different speed limit sign (sign 274) posts a lower limit (e.g., 30 km/h zones near schools) or, in rare cases, a higher one. Even without any posted sign, 50 km/h is the law the instant you are inside a built-up area.

Outside built-up areas (außerorts): the default speed limit for cars is 100 km/h on regular roads (Landstraßen). This applies on any road outside a town that is NOT an Autobahn or Autobahnähnliche Straße (highway-like road). Trucks and vehicles with trailers have lower limits (80 km/h for trucks over 7.5 tonnes). The 100 km/h limit applies until you see a different speed limit sign or re-enter a built-up area.

Autobahn: there is NO general speed limit on the Autobahn — only a recommended speed (Richtgeschwindigkeit) of 130 km/h. This means driving faster than 130 km/h is legal on unrestricted sections, BUT if you are involved in an accident while exceeding 130 km/h, you bear partial liability even if the other driver caused the accident. Insurance companies can reduce payouts. Many Autobahn sections DO have posted speed limits (100, 120, or other values), especially near cities, construction zones, and interchanges — these are mandatory.

Entering and leaving built-up areas: the transition is marked by sign 310 (start, yellow town sign) and sign 311 (end, town sign with red line). The moment you pass sign 310, the speed limit drops to 50 km/h immediately — not "soon" or "within 100m," but at the sign itself. The moment you pass sign 311, the outside-of-town limit of 100 km/h applies (unless another sign says otherwise). This is frequently tested.

Special zones: 30 km/h zones (Tempo-30-Zone, sign 274.1) are common in residential areas and near schools. They apply to the entire zone until cancelled by sign 274.2. Spielstraßen (traffic-calmed areas, sign 325.1) require walking speed (Schrittgeschwindigkeit, roughly 4-7 km/h). On roads marked with sign 275 (minimum speed), you must drive at least the posted speed — if your vehicle cannot, you may not use that road.

Reaction distance is the distance your vehicle travels between the moment you see a hazard and the moment your foot actually presses the brake pedal. During this time — typically about one second for an alert driver — the car is still moving at full speed with no braking force applied.

The formula:

Reaction distance (meters) = (speed in km/h / 10) x 3

This formula assumes a reaction time of approximately 1 second. It gives the distance covered in that one second at the given speed.

Examples at common speeds: - 50 km/h: (50 / 10) x 3 = 5 x 3 = 15 meters - 80 km/h: (80 / 10) x 3 = 8 x 3 = 24 meters - 100 km/h: (100 / 10) x 3 = 10 x 3 = 30 meters - 130 km/h: (130 / 10) x 3 = 13 x 3 = 39 meters

At 50 km/h in a city, you travel 15 meters before you even begin braking. That is roughly 3-4 car lengths. At 130 km/h on the Autobahn, it is 39 meters — almost half a football field — before any braking begins.

Factors that increase reaction time (and therefore reaction distance): fatigue, distraction (especially using a phone), alcohol, drugs, unfamiliar roads, unexpected hazards, and poor visibility. If your reaction time doubles to 2 seconds, the reaction distance also doubles. At 100 km/h, a distracted driver has a reaction distance of 60 meters instead of 30.

The exam frequently presents questions like: "You are driving at 100 km/h. What is your reaction distance?" Apply the formula mechanically: (100 / 10) x 3 = 30 meters. The formula is easy to memorize: divide speed by 10, multiply by 3. Practice it until it is automatic.

One crucial insight: reaction distance is linear with speed. Double the speed = double the reaction distance. This is different from braking distance, which grows quadratically. Understanding this distinction is key for the exam.

Braking distance is the distance your vehicle travels from the moment you begin braking to the moment you come to a complete stop. Unlike reaction distance, braking distance grows quadratically — doubling your speed QUADRUPLES your braking distance.

Normal braking distance formula:

Braking distance (meters) = (speed in km/h / 10)²

This gives the distance under normal, controlled braking on a dry road.

Examples: - 30 km/h: (30 / 10)² = 3² = 9 meters - 50 km/h: (50 / 10)² = 5² = 25 meters - 80 km/h: (80 / 10)² = 8² = 64 meters - 100 km/h: (100 / 10)² = 10² = 100 meters - 130 km/h: (130 / 10)² = 13² = 169 meters

Notice the quadratic growth: at 50 km/h the braking distance is 25m, but at 100 km/h (double the speed), it is 100m (four times as much, not double). This is why speed kills — the energy that must be absorbed during braking increases with the square of speed.

Emergency braking distance formula:

Emergency braking distance (meters) = (speed in km/h / 10)² / 2

Emergency braking means applying maximum force to the brake pedal. Modern cars with ABS (anti-lock braking systems) allow you to brake at maximum force without the wheels locking. The emergency braking distance is roughly HALF the normal braking distance.

Examples: - 50 km/h: (50 / 10)² / 2 = 25 / 2 = 12.5 meters - 100 km/h: (100 / 10)² / 2 = 100 / 2 = 50 meters - 130 km/h: (130 / 10)² / 2 = 169 / 2 = 84.5 meters

CRITICAL factors that INCREASE braking distance: wet roads (multiply by approximately 2), icy roads (multiply by approximately 5), worn tires, worn brake pads, downhill gradient, heavy vehicle load. The formulas give ideal dry-road conditions. On a wet road at 100 km/h, normal braking distance becomes roughly 200 meters instead of 100.

The exam will ask you to calculate braking distances at specific speeds. Memorize the formula pattern: divide by 10, square the result. For emergency braking, divide that result by 2. Practice until you can do this in your head in seconds.

Stopping distance is the TOTAL distance from the moment you see a hazard to the moment your vehicle comes to a complete stop. It combines both reaction distance and braking distance.

Stopping distance formula:

Stopping distance = Reaction distance + Braking distance Stopping distance = [(speed / 10) x 3] + [(speed / 10)²]

For emergency stopping:

Emergency stopping distance = [(speed / 10) x 3] + [(speed / 10)² / 2]

Let us calculate the full stopping distance at several common exam speeds:

At 50 km/h (normal braking): - Reaction: (50/10) x 3 = 15m - Braking: (50/10)² = 25m - Total stopping distance: 15 + 25 = 40 meters

At 50 km/h (emergency braking): - Reaction: 15m (same — you still need time to react) - Braking: 25 / 2 = 12.5m - Total: 15 + 12.5 = 27.5 meters

At 100 km/h (normal braking): - Reaction: (100/10) x 3 = 30m - Braking: (100/10)² = 100m - Total: 30 + 100 = 130 meters

At 100 km/h (emergency braking): - Reaction: 30m - Braking: 100 / 2 = 50m - Total: 30 + 50 = 80 meters

At 130 km/h (normal braking): - Reaction: (130/10) x 3 = 39m - Braking: (130/10)² = 169m - Total: 39 + 169 = 208 meters

These numbers are sobering. At 100 km/h with normal braking, you need 130 meters to stop — longer than a football field. Even with emergency braking, you need 80 meters. And these are ideal, dry-road conditions.

The exam will present scenarios like: "A child runs into the road 40 meters ahead. You are driving 50 km/h. Can you stop in time?" With normal braking, your stopping distance is 40m — you would hit the child exactly at the point they are standing. With emergency braking, 27.5m — you stop in time, but barely. This is why speed limits in residential areas are set at 30 km/h near schools: at 30 km/h, normal stopping distance is (9 + 9) = 18 meters, and emergency is (9 + 4.5) = 13.5 meters.

Key insight for the exam: reaction distance is ALWAYS added, even in emergency stops. You cannot react faster just because the situation is more urgent. Emergency braking only halves the BRAKING portion.

Following distance is the gap you must maintain between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. This gap gives you time and space to react if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly.

The rule of thumb formula:

Following distance (meters) = speed in km/h / 2

At 50 km/h: 50 / 2 = 25 meters (minimum following distance) At 100 km/h: 100 / 2 = 50 meters (minimum following distance) At 130 km/h: 130 / 2 = 65 meters (minimum following distance)

On the Autobahn, a practical way to measure following distance is using the distance markers. White posts with reflectors are placed every 50 meters along the Autobahn. At 100 km/h, you need at least one full gap between two posts (50m). At 130 km/h, you need a little more than one gap. If the vehicle ahead passes a post and you reach it before two seconds have elapsed, you are too close.

The two-second rule: as a mental check, pick a fixed point (a sign, a bridge, a road marking). When the vehicle ahead passes it, start counting "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two." If you reach the point before finishing "one-thousand-two," you are following too closely. At higher speeds, use three seconds or more.

INCREASED following distance is required in these conditions: wet roads (multiply by 1.5-2x), icy or snowy roads (multiply by 3-5x), fog (significantly more), when following trucks that spray water, when following motorcycles (they can stop faster than cars), and at night when visibility is reduced.

A critical exam scenario: on the Autobahn at 130 km/h, what is the minimum following distance? Answer: 130 / 2 = 65 meters. What happens if the vehicle ahead brakes and you are only 30 meters behind? Your reaction distance alone at 130 km/h is 39 meters — you would already hit the vehicle before you even start braking.

Tailgating (zu dichtes Auffahren) is one of the most commonly fined violations in Germany, especially on the Autobahn. Police use bridge-mounted cameras that photograph vehicles and measure the gap. Fines and penalties escalate sharply with the severity of the violation.

The visibility rule (Sichtfahrgebot) is one of the most important speed-related rules in German traffic law: you must always drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

The simple version: if you can only see 50 meters ahead (due to fog, rain, darkness, curves, or hills), your maximum speed must allow you to stop within 50 meters. This is not a suggestion — it is a legal requirement (StVO section 3).

Applying the formula: if visibility is 50 meters, what is the maximum speed?

You need: stopping distance less than or equal to 50 meters. Stopping distance = (speed/10) x 3 + (speed/10)²

Working backward: At 50 km/h: stopping distance = 15 + 25 = 40m (fits within 50m - OK) At 60 km/h: stopping distance = 18 + 36 = 54m (does NOT fit in 50m - TOO FAST)

So with 50m visibility, the maximum safe speed is approximately 50 km/h.

Practical rule of thumb: 50 meters of visibility corresponds to roughly 50 km/h maximum speed. This is easy to remember and commonly tested on the exam.

Fog: in dense fog, visibility can drop to 20-30 meters or less. At 30m visibility, you should not exceed approximately 30 km/h. Use your fog lights (Nebelschlussleuchte is the rear fog light, only legal when visibility is below 50 meters). Your low beams must be on — high beams in fog reflect off water droplets and make visibility WORSE.

Night driving on unlit roads: your low beams illuminate approximately 50-75 meters ahead. Your high beams illuminate approximately 100-200 meters. Your speed must match this visibility. On a dark country road with low beams only, you should not exceed approximately 60-70 km/h because your stopping distance must fit within the illuminated area.

Curves and hills: on a winding road, you can only see as far as the curve allows. If you see 40 meters of road before it curves out of sight, you need to be able to stop within 40 meters. This is why winding mountain roads demand much lower speeds even if no speed limit is posted.

The visibility rule means you automatically adjust your speed to conditions — no sign needed. The exam tests this with questions like: "It is foggy and you can see 50 meters. What is your maximum speed?" Answer: approximately 50 km/h.

Posted speed limits and default limits are maximum speeds under ideal conditions. When conditions deteriorate, you are legally required to reduce speed even if no sign tells you to.

Wet roads (nasse Fahrbahn): water between the tire and road surface reduces grip significantly. Braking distances roughly double on wet roads. At higher speeds, there is a risk of aquaplaning (hydroplaning) — a film of water lifts the tires off the road surface, and you lose all steering and braking control. Aquaplaning typically begins around 80 km/h on standing water, but it depends on tire condition, water depth, and speed. If you feel the steering become light and unresponsive, do NOT brake hard or turn the wheel sharply — ease off the accelerator gently and keep the wheel straight until the tires regain contact.

Snow and ice (Schnee und Eis): braking distances can increase by a factor of 5 or more on ice. At 50 km/h, your normal braking distance of 25m becomes 125m or more on ice. Winter tires (Winterreifen) are mandatory in Germany when conditions require them ("situative Winterreifenpflicht"). They must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm by law, but the recommended minimum is 4mm for effective water and snow displacement.

Leaves and road grime in autumn: wet leaves on the road surface are nearly as slippery as ice. Railroad crossings, bridge joints, and road markings also become very slippery when wet.

Strong winds (Seitenwind): crosswinds are especially dangerous on exposed roads (bridges, highway exits from forests into open fields, coastal roads). Sign 117 warns of crosswinds. Reduce speed and hold the steering wheel firmly. Trucks and vehicles with high profiles (vans, vehicles with roof racks) are more affected.

The conditional speed limit sign: some speed limits include a supplementary sign "bei Naesse" (when wet). For example, a sign showing 80 km/h with "bei Naesse" beneath it means the 80 km/h limit ONLY applies when the road is wet. When the road is dry, the normal limit applies (e.g., 100 km/h outside built-up areas). This is a very common exam question.

General legal principle: StVO section 3 paragraph 1 states that you must drive only as fast as you can maintain control of your vehicle, considering road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. Even if the posted limit is 100 km/h, driving 100 km/h on an icy road is reckless driving and a violation.

The Autobahn has unique speed and distance rules that differ from other German roads. Understanding these is critical for both the exam and real-world driving.

Recommended speed (Richtgeschwindigkeit): 130 km/h. This is not a legal limit on unrestricted sections — it is a recommendation. However, exceeding 130 km/h carries a legal consequence: if you are involved in an accident while exceeding the Richtgeschwindigkeit, you share partial liability even if the other driver was at fault. Insurance companies routinely invoke this to reduce payouts. For the exam, know that 130 km/h is "empfohlen" (recommended), not "vorgeschrieben" (mandatory).

Minimum speed: there is no general minimum speed on the Autobahn, but vehicles must be capable of traveling at least 60 km/h to use it. Pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds, and other slow vehicles are prohibited. If road conditions (fog, construction) require driving below 60 km/h, that is allowed — the 60 km/h requirement is about vehicle capability, not actual speed. Sign 275 (blue circle with a number) sets a mandatory minimum speed for specific sections.

Following distance enforcement: on the Autobahn, following distance is aggressively enforced using bridge-mounted cameras (Abstandsmessung). The camera photographs your vehicle and the vehicle ahead simultaneously, measuring the gap. Penalties for tailgating are severe and escalate with how close you are and how fast you are going. At 130 km/h with less than 3/10 of the "speed / 2" following distance (less than about 19.5 meters), you face 400 EUR, 2 points, and a 3-month driving ban.

Right-lane driving requirement (Rechtsfahrgebot): on the Autobahn, you must use the rightmost free lane. The left lane is for overtaking only. After overtaking, you must return to the right lane. Cruising in the left lane while the right lane is free ("Linksfahrer") is a violation. The middle lane of a three-lane Autobahn may be used continuously if the right lane has regular slow traffic (trucks), but you should still move right when possible.

Overtaking on the right (Rechtsüberholen): overtaking on the right is generally prohibited on the Autobahn. Exception: in slow-moving traffic (Stau) or when traffic in the left lane is moving at 60 km/h or less, you may pass on the right at up to 20 km/h faster than the left-lane traffic. Outside of traffic jams, overtaking on the right can result in a fine and points.

Construction zones (Baustellen): Autobahn construction zones have temporary speed limits (typically 60-80 km/h), narrowed lanes, and shifted lane alignments. Respect the posted speed — construction zone speed cameras are very common. The narrow lanes may require extra concentration to stay centered, especially for wider vehicles.