20
Motorcycles
The drives presented in this guide
are also ideal for a motorcycle trip.
The well-maintained roads that
crisscross Germany’s countryside
allow one to enjoy a feeling of
freedom while discovering beautiful
vistas. To rent a bike, get in touch
with one of the major rental services
well in advance, as rental stations do
not always have them available.
AdMo Tours is a national motorbike
rental chain where motorcycles and
dirt bikes can be booked for short
periods. Several brands are available
for hire, including BMW, Harley,
Suzuki, and many more.
It is mandatory for motorcyclists
and passengers to wear protective
helmets at all times. Drivers must
have a valid driving license to cover a
motorcycle or moped, and an
insurance policy.
The rules of the road are the same
for motorcyclists as for other drivers,
although you should take additional
safety precautions. Go slow when
filtering or driving between traffic
lanes. Give other vehicles a wide
berth when passing them, and
be aware that they might not always
see you. Motorcycles must have rear
number plate lighting.Above Motorcycles parked outside a café,
Hollandische Viertel, Postdam, BrandenburgDisabled Drivers
There are a number of parking
concessions for disabled drivers in
Germany. Visitors from non-EU
countries who wish to apply for
temporary parking permits should
get in touch with the local council or
the district authority. Germany’s
Federal Ministry of Transport,
Building and Urban Affairs can advise
travelers on this matter. Applicants
have to provide a disability ID and
a passport-sized photograph. Medical
documentation regarding their
disabled status might also be required.
Parking for disabled drivers can be
found in all public areas, indicated
with a sign displaying a wheelchair.Driving with Children
Drivers must ensure that all
passengers under the age of 14 wear
seat belts or sit in an approved child
restraint. Make sure that their seat
belts are always fastened. This is not
only obligatory by law, but also
important for their safety. Babies
must never be placed in a rear-facing
car seat in the passenger seat if there
is an active airbag fitted, as it canCar and Camper Van Rental
Most of the big international car
rental companies, such as Budget,
Avis, Sixt, and Hertz, have offices at
airports, rail stations, and more
expensive hotels, and offer a wide
range of vehicles. The ADAC,
Germany’s and Europe’s largest
automobile club, offers rental
services for tourists who cannot
bring their own vehicle to Germany.BACK ROADS GERMANY
You can call the ADAC service
number (see p17) to find
out how to arrange the booking.
To rent a vehicle, it is necessary
to present a passport and a driver’s
license. Drivers must be over 18,
however, check before you make
your reservation regarding “age
restrictions.” It’s recommended that
you book in advance, especially
during peak season – you will often
get a better rate. Rental rates
usually include unlimited mileage,
but do double check. Consider
renting a smaller car than you may
be used to at home, as they are
much easier to handle on narrow
country roads than big SUVs. If
you need a child seat, it should be
booked in advance as well.
Third-party insurance is
compulsory and is included in the
rate. Some rental agreements also
include a Collision Damage Waiver
(CDW ), which limits your liability for
damages to the rental car, theft loss
coverage and personal injury insur-
ance; others charge additional fees
for these items. Be sure to read your
agreement carefully so that you fully
understand what your coverage and
liabilities are. Some drivers may be
able to use insurance from a personalcause serious injury or death to the
child in a crash. Children under the
age of 12 have to be seated in
a special child car seat. In this case, it
does not matter if the child is seated
on the back seat or on the front seat.
However, there is an exception
to this rule for children who are
shorter than 5 ft (150 cm). Children
below this height have
to sit in the back seat.
Remember to request any
necessary child seats in advance
when making your rental reservation.