Hey, guys! Haven't had a video in a while as we have welcomed our second baby into the world a few weeks ago 😊 (and honestly, may not have one for a little longer as I continue soaking up time being a daddy on paternity leave 😅) So, I hope you enjoy this one and it would be a huge support if you hit that "subscribe" button for me! 😃 Have a great day and thanks for watching!
@ Ketschup, das ist doch ganz einfach: DER Ketschup in der Flasche Das Ketschup auf den Pommes DER Ketschupfleck auf dem Shirt Das Ketschup auf dem Shirt (solange es noch drauf ist und nicht nur der Fleck übrig ist) Die Ketschupflasche (*) Der Ketschupspender Sonderfälle: "Gib mir mal DEN Ketschup" "Das ist kein Blut, das ist Ketschup" (ohne Artikel) "Die Pommes ersaufen in dem Ketschup" "In der Ketschupfabrik wird das Ketschup hergestellt" (*) Auch ein Sonderfall wenn "Die Ketschupflasche" leer ist, wird sie zu "DEM Ketschupflaschenleergut" Wie man sieht, Ketschup ist, was die Artikel betrifft, ebenso vielfältig wie es Varianten von der Tomatenpampe gibt. Allerdings ist es so einfach und logisch aufgebaut, das erklärt sich doch eigentlich von selbst.... zumindest für jeden der deutsch mit der Muttermilch eingesaugt hat ;-)
A good video! Regarding to the Rettungsgasse, there is a big reason why the shoulder is not used: The purpose of the shoulder is for cars which break while driving to get there, so that the lanes are not blocked. Would be very bad for emergency services to drive on the shoulder and then a broken-down car is there as well.
Switch that around. The US is the odd one out by not ratifying the international code for street signs as binding for the US. Almost every other country has ratified the code.
True and make sense in the US, as well as in Germany. Turn on right is really dangerous for pedestrians. Most drivers just look on the left and don't care if a pedestrian is on the right. Also the position of the traffic lights make just sense for drivers in the US. Cross the street in the US... most drivers will stop in the pedestrian's section. In Germany you have to stop earlier cause you will have no idea what color it is... Overall, no pedestrians... love the US... in Germany... we have pedestrians.
Welcome back! What is even better with the traffic in Germany is, that you have the option to opt out of driving. In the US you are more forced to drive. I don't really use an article for ketchup.
You should have explained what it means to drive faster than the “recommended” 130 km/h on the highway. If you drive faster than the recommended speed and you are involved in an accident, for example because an inattentive driver moves into the left lane and you drive into them at 200 km/h, then you must be able to justify why you thought you were driving faster than 130 km/h on this stretch of road, taking into account the current weather, road and traffic conditions. If you are unable to do this, you will be awarded partial fault, which is at least 20%, but can also be higher.
@@itsgamingtime9578 Right. A key point is always if the accident would have happened when you were going the recommended 130. A similar thing is true for the "Rechtsfahrgebot" which doesn't only mean to switch to the right most lane when possible, but also to drive as much right as "possible". Of course the faster you drive, the more distance you want to have to the right side to not skid off the road. However when an accident happens because some stupid person overtakes another car even though there's oncoming traffic, if you are the oncoming car and you didn't drive on the right side of your lane, you can also get partial blame when the accident would have been avoidable otherwise. We also have the Sichtfahrgebot (§3 StVO) which means that your speed and spacing has to be choosen so you can always come to a complete stop within your range of vision. So a tight curve or the crest of a hill often block your vision so you should slow down to be able to react fast enough if there's an obstacle just behind the curve / peak. There are very very few spots on the Autobahn where you could drive insane 300km/h, yet some crazies do it anyways. At a speed of 300km/h you would need almost 1km (1000m) to come to a stop.
A big diffrence to US or other nations is the TÜV for Cars. Its not only checking, if the minimal electric functions work properly, its also check, if the car is allowed to be driven in public
@@razorix6843 Whereas in Germany safety inspection and emissions inspection (HU & AU) are (almost) always done at the same time, they are treated separately in the US. 15 states require regular safety inspections (some of them even annually), some of which also require an emissions inspection, some don't. Other states only require emissions inspections. Maryland and Alabama don't require REGULAR safety inspections, but they DO require them every time a vehicle gets sold. (IMO kinda weird system, but definitely better than nothing). The criteria for passing the inspection vary from state to state; in some states even from county to county.
12:11 I am completely amazed: You said "lorries" despite coming from the US. - I was taught that "lorry" is only used in B.E. whereas in A.E. "truck" is the term of choice for the vehicle in question. Seems my teachers were not as smart as they thought they are. White circle sign with 4 black lines across it from the upper right to the lower left (also called Vorschriftzeichen 282 StVO ). It means all road bans are lifted. If it is the same sign with a number in it, e.g. 70 (VZ 278-70) as shown in the video, that means only the speed limit of 70km/h has been lifted, but other road bans as for example an overtaking ban stay in place.
When I edited this video I actually considered doing a voiceover to fix that because I was also confused as to why I defaulted to that word and it felt weird 😂 My explanation is that B.E. is so pervasive in Europe that we‘ve kind of picked up some B.E. from non-native English speakers because it’s what they learned and we hear all the time. However, I would correct and say that „truck“ isn’t the default term of choice for these in A.E. In A.E. a „truck“ refers to a pickup truck. A „lorry“ is actually referred to as a „semi“ in A.E. most commonly.
@@PassportTwo Thanks for the answer: Am I correct to assume that the word "semi" is an abbreviation for "semi truck" whereas the other vehicle is a "pickup truck" and "semi truck" in itself does not necessarily refer to the whole contraption as such, but originally to the part of the vehicle that contains the motor and is responsible for the towing work? Because "semi" means "half" so there is a "semi truck" (in German "Zugmaschine) and a "semi trailer" (in German "Auflieger"), where those two halves compose a vehicle that is referred to as "lorry" in B.E. and over time people came to refer to the whole thing as "semi". - Which would make sense, since "truck" in itself has something to do with "pulling". -> A Tractor pulls farming equipment across a field.
You are correct that „semi“ is an abbreviation for „semi truck.“ The front part with the motor being the „semi“ and the back attachment being a „trailer.“ If you see them attached or just the front part driving without an attachment, we would refer to those as a „semi.“ If you see just the attachment, we would call that a „trailer.“ 😊
Ich hab euch ungefähr 2020 "gefunden" und seitdem schau ich regelmäßig bei euch rein. Ihr seid mir echt sympatisch. Eure Intros finde ich nach wie vor witzig, behaltet das bei :D Alles Gute euch weiterhin!
I'm so confused about some drivers. There are these niece signs by the side of the road telling you exactly how fast you may drive. They ignore these and than are angry when they get a ticket. And it's always: "i know the road, therefore i can drive as fast as i want!"
Weirdly, there are a lot of people on our roads that stick to the speed limit but break anyway when a Blitzer is coming up. Speed limit is 50, everyone is doing 50... and then, the driver in front of you slams their brakes and you pass the Blitzer at 30. No idea why people do that, but it happens a lot.
There are quite some differences in requirements for road safety. German cars regularly have to get their operation permits renewed. For that, they have to pass a safety inspection every two years. Furthermore, turn lights (with some exceptions) have to be amber. You will hardly find any cars with red turn lights in Germany.
7:00 Zippers are mostly in front of construction sites, sometimes on less frequented streets announced by a sign... I'd consider it polite to stay in the ending lane next to a car indicating to the car behind where I intend to go. Neither speeding past nor merging too early. If you have a ramp or a line on the left discontinued, there are markings of the lines on the street and those who have to leave their line have to take care as with changing into another lane
The written exam isn't really hard... you need to learn, but it is multiple choice and about 50% of the questions can be solved with logic if you attended the school hours...
Multiple choice, yes. But you have to get ALL parts of a question right, not just one answer. If you fail to answer all parts each individual failed part has a point value. At eight points missed you fail your exam.
Moreover, the questions on any given exam are all taken from a standard catalog that can be found on paper or on the internet. Just go through all of them until you have them down and it's easy-peasy. When I took my written test, I was done in less than 10 minutes and scored 100%. I didn't understand why the other exam candidates were sweating over the questions!
@@razorix6843 Round about 50% are pretty ok I would say... others might have trouble to find the pencil if it placed next to the piece of paper to fill out the test...
About the zipper merge, before it was included in the law in 2001, it often happened in Germany too that lanes were blocked by some drivers so to prevent others from cutting in line. At that time, the new regulation was also criticized by many, but now most people have gotten used to it and follow it. Also because most people noticed that it is quicker for everyone overall.
You can do a bit about technical checks on vehicles that is mandatory (and strict), that also contributes greatly to the highway safety. Or red rear turn signals, and "right turn on red" difference between EU and US.
Definitely! In Oklahoma we aren't required to do safety inspections but in Texas, for example, you are required to do so. It's a complicated patchwork of which states require them and which don't 😅
Sorry slight correction: - the toll for trucks is billed by onboard systems and collected automatically - those blue poles are a second system to find people tricking the system. The results from those poles are compared to the onboard logs.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch und alles Gute für Mutter und Kind.👩🍼👨🍼❤ Bei uns war es immer Der Ketchup. Scheint eins von den Wörtern zu sein, bei dem wir Deutschen selbst nicht so genau wissen, was richtig ist. 😀
Das Ketchup is a very Austrian thing. We also say DAS Cola instead of DIE Cola, and DAS Teller, and not DER Teller... Both versions are correct, according to the "Austrian Wordbook" / "Das Österreichische Wörterbuch", which is the officially vocabulary book used in schools - we can't use the "Duden"
To speeds on Autobahn: - the average speed on a populated Autobahn might be slightly over 120km/h (let's say 75m/h). - When I (some years ago in my job) asked google maps for a longer trip - I hardly could match their estimated speed of 130km/h - speed limitations and congestions always made my average lower than that. And - all of my family assume I drive like hell.
Really? Well, I drive on busy highways every day. And outside of the 2-3 hours of rush hour traffic in the morning and afternoon, I have no problems driving significantly faster than 130 km/h on a regular basis. And during rush hour, there are only a few exits and large interchanges where there are regular traffic jams. But before and after? No problem there.
@danielbraun1898 10 years ago I retired. Before I drove a lot typical Cologne - Darmstadt or Minster or Bielefeld. I hardly managed an average speed over 110kmh. Even with top speed of 200kmh
My instinct: der Ketchup. The strangest part for me in Germany was the "right before left", and even after more than 20 years of driving here, I still have to think about it consciously whenever I am not on a Vorfahrtsstraße. It seems oddest to me when I am driving on the part of the road that is straight at a T-intersection and I have to yield to someone who has to turn.
@ Thank you! The theory is fine; this has just never become second nature for me like it is for someone who grew up here and never knew anything different. Where I learned to drive, if you didn‘t have a stop or yield sign, you had the right of way; you didn‘t have to think about it. That‘s all.
In the USA, the interstate highways are strewn with garbage, such as huge chunks of tires that have come of the poorly maintained American cars and trucks, not to mention thinks that fall off all those giant pick up trucks such ladders, boxes of nails and screws, paint, sheetrock mud, sofas, chairs, refrigerators and matresses etc. In Germany, if one tiny piece of garbage is in on the highway, all radio channels are interrupted and its announced....Two extremes...
And in Austria, and Germany, all cars have to go to the TUEV, the technical control board, (MOT) which checks your car for road safety. A brand new car can be driven for 2 years, until it has to be TUEV-checked. You can overdraw the TUEV appointment for 4 months, but if you miss it; the police can remove your licence plates and you lose your vehice type approval. You will get a ticket, a deficency list, and an appointment at the PD, to show, that the car is fixed and road-safe. In addition of missing a MOT check, you lose the manufacturer's warranty. Pretty bueraucratic stuff, but some rules are for road safety. For example, a car has oil leakeage, and causes rear cars to slip into the oncoming traffic. That's why, we have MOT checks, TUEV is the german term for it.
The zipper merge in Germany is really good but could be better if the drivers wouldn't try to merge too early but drive on the left lane as long as possible and merge then. But a lot of drivers think that they want to cut them and in consequence block them.
Its a litteral flasher. 1/4 of these things is just a flashing thing. You find these poles, it is just a flasher. They put a camera after the flasher, maybee, in a flexible distance. That is why you can break the flasher and still get a ticket. Where the camera is, find out. The other 3/4 has a camera in it. Thats something my dad told me. My dad works in the streetwork and knows that (ptv thingy)
The toll is only for business vehicles which were used to transport goods, except buses which obviously transport people. For private vehicles over 3.5t there is no toll to pay (yet)
Some points for an other video: differences between "Autobahn, Bundesstraßen, Landstraßen" and "innerorts" with different speed limits, different between "Höchstgeschwindigkeit" and "Richtgeschwindigkeit"..
One thing about the recommended speed limit of 130 km/h: If you drive faster and there is an accident, you have to justify that the accident also would have occurred if you drove only 130 km/h. Otherwise, you will get fined for causing an accident due to an unadapted driving speed.
I am a fan of the four-way-stop. When I first read about it (preparing for a road trip in the US), I wondered how that was supposed to work. I found it pretty better than the right-before-left rule, we have in Germany. You know: you can spend quite some time waiting for no more car coming from the right. First come, first go is much fairer imho.
I took Drivers Ed in high school and they didn’t teach zippering. So it seems that one should move over ASAP or they might not be let in at the end. I have sometimes driven in both lanes to prevent someone from cutting the line!
Driving in Germany: It is not all about long term training by LICENSED (!!!) Driver Schools. And it is not just gentle behaviour to form the "Rescue Lane" , but it is highly recommended to avoid harsh legal and payment consequences. Would you like the following fine for not forming such lane ? : 200 Euro AND drivers license will be collected for 1 month ( means no driving for one month ! ) AND you get 2 "Points" in the "Federal Register of Driving Offenses". If you collect time by time 4 Points you will get a warning by mail. Red-Stop-Light passing at a crossing (even if no other car can be seen while red-light period) result to 2 Points. As soon as 8 Points there will be the REVOCATION of your driver license. Revocation means the total LOSS of it. No extension. To get a new driver license you have to get through all procedures like you never had a license before. On top there is one additional process before even beginning again a course at Driver School: you have to pass a psychological examination (nick name: idiots test) which check if your character is actually matching the requirements of safe driving. Thus you will perform good driving practise, particularly at high speeds and also give way for a "Rescue Lane" if required. BTW: visitors of Germany may not get away by flying home: your rent a car company will get the ticket and because this in Germany registered company has to pay the fine on behalf of you. As your credit card is known to the rent a car company all costs will finally be deducted from your card. Money fines are almost doubled for foreigners to compensate the non-collection of your license as the Germans have to face. Have a nice driving experience according to rules in Germany and thus prevent all of us from any harm.
I’ve talked in another video how tickets and fines in Germany are super cheap. At least, compared to fines in the U.S. When I got my first speeding ticket, for example, I couldn’t believe the tiny slap on the wrist compared to the hundreds I was fined for a simple speeding ticket in the U.S. In my opinion, the threat of a fine isn’t that great to influence behavior in Germany compared to the U.S. 🤷🏻♂️ Also, I’ve had a couple of American friends and family who have gotten tickets in Germany driving and you are correct, they do send them to them even though they are in the U.S., but they aren’t doubled simply because they are foreigners. They have always been the same price as if a local did the infraction…
@@PassportTwo Quote: " In my opinion, the threat of a fine isn’t that great to influence behavior in Germany compared to the U.S. " unquote. For sure, it´s not all about money. You may not have understood the COMBINATION of money fines AND the Points System to get your driver license cancelled. Simply get 2 points for speeding and a red-light passing (1,5 sec. too late, sorry) with another 2 points. You can do on an afternoon. Have a look in your letter box. Think it would be of great influence to your driving behavior in Germany. Don´t be a coward and have a try. In most cases a test period of just 3 months license collection would do.
I am very well aware and do understand the point system in combination with the fines in Germany, but based on your comment, I'm not sure you understand how the point system works in Germany... You generally have to do something fairly egregious to earn a point. You do not get 2 points simply for speeding, not even close. You have to be speeding AT LEAST 21km/h over the speed limit to earn a SINGLE point. To earn 2 points, you have to be driving AT LEAST 41km/h over the speed limit. Also, simply running a red light does not get you 2 points, it gets you 1 point. Then it takes 8 points for you to get your license removed. That would be impressive to achieve and you would have been driving like a complete maniac to ever reach that. Again, if you are simply getting speeding tickets, it is a tiny slap on the wrist compared to the U.S. even with the point system. Sources: Speed limit points - www.bussgeldeinspruch.org/punkte-in-flensburg/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAoJ9fR9tX2kSnhuTRbZMFHhFWes1U&gclid=Cj0KCQiAu8W6BhC-ARIsACEQoDBZquJADYECwmqtrGrurZW37gOFBL1esvWVNiTOl4yDhfbzl9A8iVUaArjtEALw_wcB Red light - www.bussgeldkatalog.org/rote-ampel/?Brote%20%2Bampel%20%2Bpunkte&.org-search&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADcu96SQJV4p8iwk9go5_5ZCOED32&gclid=Cj0KCQiAu8W6BhC-ARIsACEQoDA1XBHVk0IUfun_mbYVg0uwHlKIURq-PmlbAWx6yI4EXIYfFnNXBekaAiASEALw_wcB
Reißverschlussverfahren on merging lanes has a clear rule (in Germany), but yet many either never learned it or keep on ignoring it, unfortunately. Specifically in Switzerland.
It's actually because in Germany you are taught to wait until the merging lane ends and in Switzerland, they are taught let people merge when it is least disturbing to traffic flow. Ergo, they think that Germans are trying to jump ahead and consequently think "Not with me, schwob".
Omggggg, is that why I was able to get my Washington state license without having to take any tests when I moved there from Germany?? Now it all makes sense! I didn't know this for almost 20 years! 😂 I just thought I was lucky. Thank you for clearing that up!
Good question! 😅 I'm really excited about making one, but the process is still ongoing. I've had 3 in-person appointments trying to get the government everything they want from me to apply, and now I'm just kind of in a waiting game. Hopefully very soon! 😊
Insane. What did they ask for? In my county they also said the processing time is 18 months. So now Im waiting for them to process everything. Jenna from life in duesseldorf already got her application processed and is now a German citizen. It only took 3 months. No idea what cheat codes she used.
@@tesla.8410 Before my first appointment they told me, for example, they needed 1 Steuerbescheid, but then in the meeting they said the rules changed since they spoke to me, but didn't tell me, and that they actually needed 2 Steuerbescheids (Among other documents they didn't tell me they needed). They also told me that since my next child was born, they would wait on everything so they could process them together and then told me what documents I needed once the child was born. Well, in the second appointment after my second child was born, they realized they told me the wrong documents they would need and that I would have to set up another appointment and told me the correct documents to bring to that one...Then, finally, in my third appointment they accepted those documents and I guess we should be good to go now. However, my county won't tell me a processing time for some reason 😅 So, I'm completely in a limbo of not knowing what's going on now 😂
#Das Ketchup. Main difference I noticed is the much larger roads even in supposedly quiet neighborhoods and the missing standard speed in the U.S.. I am so used to 50 km/h, 100 km/h, recommended 130 km/h, that I am somewhat nervous on U.S. roads because there is no default to fall back to if you miss a sign. And then there is the fact, that nearly all crossings in the U.S. are rectangular, while irregularly shaped crossings are the norm in Germany. It allows for posting the name of the crossing street on a sign above the crossing, and it allows for traffic lights on the opposite side, things which simply don't work on many crossings in Germany. That being said, I experienced the I5 in Seattle, WA during the summer, and I am fine.
The Maut (street charges) topic isn't entirely correct. There are some Maut routes in Germany, but they are usually easy to avoid. We even have a feature in Google Maps blocking these routes in our settings. But there are some tunnels you must pay for (like in Rostock and Lübeck). For many big cities, you need an environmental badge to prove that your car is climate-friendly enough to drive in the inner parts of the cities. It's mostly to reduce pollution and limit the risks of associated illnesses (like Stroke, dementia, premature births, type II diabetes, arteriosclerosis, heart attacks, life-shortening effects, and more. (Sources below)) and the worsening impact of those already affected. (Yes, the air quality is a huge factor in how bad Asthma and similar respiratory illnesses affect people. That's why doctors send/recommend people to the sea, forests, and mountains for rehabilitation.) Also related to the autobahn: The recommendation is 130 km/h. Everything higher can get you to a court hearing, where you must explain how you weren't inconsiderate/recklessly driving, including proof that you at any time had full control/clear view of the other drivers and weren't endangering them. Otherwise, you may be convicted under Section 315d (1) No. 3 of the German Criminal Code (StGB). Often referred to as racing against yourself or solo racing. Which would fall under the category of illegal car racing. You should expect a prison sentence of up to two years and at the very minimum a fine, even without an accident. AND, if you really fucked up and someone was killed or died on the aftereffects of an accident with you. You can even be charged with murder. (reference case number in the sources) In every case, the car will be confiscated. Ownership will automatically transfer to the government (even if it's a rental car or from a friend or family member), and the vehicle will likely not be returned. And then comes the insurance, in Germany, they MAY pay the accidental damages of a third party. Since a car race is a breach of contract and obligation. In the best-case scenario, the insurance company can recover the resulting debt of up to €5,000 from the driver. Comprehensive insurance does not cover such a case, because the claim expires, due to the crime. So please be mindful and drive safely. Sources Maut: www.vintrica.com/de/e-vignette/deutschland/?srsltid=AfmBOorKVmLDYjG3otuf7KKwjzqSHA4w7wsNBhha2RxwsJsm6iBV--f4 Illnesses and consequences related to pollution in cities: www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/luft/wirkungen-von-luftschadstoffen/wirkungen-auf-die-gesundheit#aussenluft www.bund.net/themen/mobilitaet/schadstoffe/feinstaub/ www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/de/home/themen/luft/fachinformationen/auswirkungen-der-luftverschmutzung.html#:~:text=Die%20Luftverschmutzung%20hat%20negative%20Auswirkungen,versauert%20und%20überdüngt%20empfindliche%20Ökosysteme. www.bund.net/themen/mobilitaet/schadstoffe/stickoxide/ Autobahn: www.deubner-recht.de/themen/kfz-rennen/rennen-gegen-sich-selbst-solorennen.html#:~:text=Gemäß%20§%20315d%20Abs.,Solo-%20oder%20Einzelrennen%20bezeichnet). www.anwalt.de/rechtstipps/illegales-oder-verbotenes-kraftfahrzeugrennen-das-verbotene-rennen-gegen-sich-selbst-315d-stgb-217471.html#:~:text=Gemäß%20§%20315d%20Abs.,eine%20höchstmögliche%20Geschwindigkeit%20zu%20erreichen. Bundesgerichtshof, Az.:4 StR 482/19 (case of the Ku'damm-racer) Bundesgerichtshof, Az.: 4 StR 319/21 (and the accomplice) www.adac.de/verkehr/recht/verkehrsvorschriften-deutschland/illegale-autorennen/ automatically
Hello. Do You know what to do if a traffic light isn't working? I remember a horrific crash in my youth on the biggest crossway of my town, because an American woman didn't know, that it wasn't her turn, when the traffic lights malfunctioned.
If a traffic light is out of service (it's either blinking yellow or completely turned off), the traffic signs (Main Road, Yield, Stop) attached to the traffic sign's pole become active. As long as the traffic light is working, those street signs are invalid. If you see a police man coordinating the traffic using hand signs, traffic signs are also invalid.
@@arnothar8035 And the last step, when everything mentioned before failed (No stoplights, no police, no signs) its "Rechts for links" (Right before Left).
"You technically are allowed to drive as fast as you would deem safe" That is wrong. The StVO says in §3 "Es darf nur so schnell gefahren werden, dass innerhalb der übersehbaren Strecke gehalten werden kann." "You may only drive as fast as it is possible to stop within the foreseeable distance." Depending on the scenario there are some adjustments to that rule. And there are also a few more rules that invalidate that statemtn. Actually, §1 already does that. And if you are going really fast, you might be partially liable in case of an accident. And problems with insurances also might occur.
For your 2nd part: - What is your experience with other modes of transport? - How independent are children, how safe cyclists in your region? - Does the infrastructure impact on your way of driving/mode of transport? - Illegal jaywalking vs witing at a red pedestrian light...
On the BAB (aka German Autobahn) you are not allowed to "race" (not even alone), but you can drive as fast as you want, if there us now speed limit. It's not the wording, it's the intension.
Also: NEVER slam your brake for the cameras. Know your speed, and keep to the speed limits. And if you like speeding so much, just face the consequence: Pay the fine (and don't be afraid to get points from Flensburg if you're German).
Are you guys living in Kaiserslautern? because of the hoody with FCK club thats my hometown and if yes are you guys moved there because of the airbase and the big American community
I dont have a drivers license but im always impressed to see how seamlessly people zipper merge or move to form a rettungsgasse. Probably all thanks to actually having to do some hard theoretical and practical training before being allowed to drive. One question tho, in germany i believe its required to also do a Erstehilfekurs, does america have anything similiar?
No, most states don’t have any kind of requirement for a first aid course to get a license. All states have different standards and requirements though, and I’m not well versed in all of them. So, some might require something similar, I’m not just aware of any that do require it.
First aid is also required by law if an emergency occurs (in Germany); and the aider is not liable if they does honestly try, however well. That's different in the USA, isn't it?
Speaking of tolls, you didn't mention that Czech Republic AND Austria both of highway tolls that you have to buy when you get to the borders. If you get caught without it, you'll receive a penalty.
At 2:31 you say the written exam is notoriously hard and I kinda disagree. Yes the test is hard when you don‘t study but thats why we have the hours in the classroom and nowadays an App to learn every question. For me the test was incredibly easy because i took it serious. Took me maximum 10 minutes to finish it. So I wouldn’t say it‘s hard. Only when you don’t take it serious. At least thats what I experienced.
I think that for the zipper merge the different "cultures" plays also a huge role. Individualismind the US: (everyone should look ot for themsef first) vs. Being mindful of other people around you. (looking at it more closely, it is also a low-starkes form of the prisoners dilemma) Other notes: (disclaimer: those were written from the perspective of an Austrian, so some rules may be different in Germany) There are some exceptions where you can pass on the right: - Turning lanes, (at intersections) - dense traffic "Kolonnenverkehr" - special rule for Trams/Streetcar, where you have to actually have to pass on the right (in most cases) (possibly Austria only,. I think the reason is, because of the length of a tram, it may be too dangerous to pass on the left, forcing drivers to seen a longer time on the wrong side of the road. And funnily enought this exception has exceptions of is own, where you have to overtake on the left again) There is a difference between normal speed limits and zones: "normal" speed limits are lifted automatically when you turn off the road at an intersection. Whereas zones (specifically labeled as such) only get lifted by a end of zone sign. (zone signs are essentially the regular (circular) speed limit sign printed on a rectangular sign, with the word "ZONE" below it)
The Austrians do one better ! It is required that you pass a auto safty course within 1 year of getting your licence. And your licence can be revoced if you speed too much or cause an accident.
It was an interesting experience during my 16 years of living there. My visits back, we only used public transportation. I had a GA state license, and worked for DoD and got a US Army license for Germany green paper card. That was later transferred to a German Grau Lappen. Which my understanding are no longer valid or valid only for people of a specific age. Got mine in 1984, and I am now 61.
People born before 1953 have until 2033 to exchange their old licenses for the new format. But you need to check to see when you are required to do it. It will be before 2033. There are plenty of websites with the required information. It's based on your year of birth.
@ thank you, don’t think I could renew/change it since I live back in the US with my German wife, just would hate to lose it should we decide some day to return.
As someone wrote: Pass test in USA= you are allowed to drive Pass in Germany= you have the skill to drive Not to mention we've car inspection every 3/ 2 years. In the USA: it has 4 wheels who won't fall off next 10 miles 👍
Speaking of „being handed a drivers license“: these days I have the feeling a huge part of drivers are simply getting their drivers license giftet to them. The amount of drivers unable to follow simple rules of the road is getting out of hand.
@@tobyk.4911 Mir oder mich ist nicht das Problem. Leute die mein und dein nicht unterscheiden können sind das Problem. Hab ich jedenfalls mal gelernt 😏
Congratulations! €30 for 9 km/h too fast in a 30 km/h zone? If you think that isn't too much, be careful when driving in the Netherlands. The same speeding ticket is €121 over here.
In Denmark, it is quite expensive if you go 39 in a 30 zone. Forgetting about your actual speed, if you are fined for going 39 km/h (30 % too fast), it will cost you 3000 DKK (400€) and double (6000 DKK or 800 €) in a roadworks zone. When I visit my home country, I try a bit harder than here in Germany to keep the speed limits. 😅 Some of the fines in Germany are still ridiculously low compared to Denmark. If you drive way too fast (+100%) you will get fined very high (+7000 DKK) and you will lose you license and if driving dangerously your car too. A Norwegian millionaire lost his brand new very expensive sportscar (Lamborghini) that way a few months ago. He had only had it for a week. 😂
@@gubsak55 Oh, that's crazy expensive 😲 In the Netherlands you will loose your drivers license on the spot if you're speeding 50 km/h or more. If going twice the speed limit, your car can be impounded. Also, if you're speeding 30 km/h (40 km/h on the highway) or more you will be 'marked'. Too many marks and your drivers license is on the line as well.
What I as a German find annoying about explanatory videos about the Autobahn is, that they often use footage of crashes and other incidents that didn't even happen on the Autobahn, but on any other highway in the world to make their videos seem more "interesting" or driving on the Autobahn with "nO sPeEdLiMiT" seem much more dangerous than it actually is. When you're German, you'll see that very quickly by comparing the road structure, signs, licence plates etc. But for foreigners, it might not be as obvious and then they get concerned and worried unnecessarily.
1:40 Germans the best drivers in the world?!? Hell, no. This is coming from me as a German. Better base education in driving? Probably Better at forgetting all that base education in many cases? Oh yeah, definitely. Edit Damn, random question of the week: Now I'm ping-ponging back and forth. I'd probably go with "das Ketchup", but darnit, I'm still on the fence...
Sorry; but I don't care what German politicians have decided. I have my own experiences with American drivers and there are tons of them in Kaiserslautern and near by, as you know. I will say it very politely; I would send every American to a German driving school first before he was allowed behind the wheel. I had 3 accidents in and around Kaiserslautern in the last two years and each time it was US citizens who hit me. No turn signal when changing lanes, overtaking on the right, and right before left is the gigantic unknown in an American brain. When I think that an American could meet me on the Autobahn, I get nightmares. And if there is still a millimeter of snow on the side of the road...
Going on 6 years in that area and never had an accident…how have you managed 3 in 2 years? Are you sure you don’t need to take part of the blame? 😅 Or maybe you’re being specifically targeted and it’s all a big conspiracy? 😂😉
Well, "if" Germans are better drivers, then it's because of the way better education. As you said - theory in classroom, 20+ hours with certified instructor in car!
Sorry but you didn't mention one important point regarding the zipper merge. It is mandatory by law that drivers in the left lane (which is closing) not simply force their way to the right lane. The zipper merge works by alternating right or way. One from the left, then one from the right goes through, then one from the left again and so on. This is pretty straight forward and Germans are probably laughing at me for even telling but after watching a ton of American dashcam videos, I know this is something which (at least certain) Americans still need to get their head around, because letting someone else in front is violating their American pride.
@@michaelz.7140 So, there's a difference. Priority roads get a sign and the crossroads get give-way or stop in Germany. Where equal roads intersect in Germany, there is no priority obviously, but right before left (for those who arrive at the same time).
Hey, guys! Haven't had a video in a while as we have welcomed our second baby into the world a few weeks ago 😊 (and honestly, may not have one for a little longer as I continue soaking up time being a daddy on paternity leave 😅) So, I hope you enjoy this one and it would be a huge support if you hit that "subscribe" button for me! 😃 Have a great day and thanks for watching!
Congratulations on the expansion of your family.
Congratulations 🎉❤
Congrats! Wish you and your family all the best!❤🎂🍾
@ Ketschup,
das ist doch ganz einfach:
DER Ketschup in der Flasche
Das Ketschup auf den Pommes
DER Ketschupfleck auf dem Shirt
Das Ketschup auf dem Shirt (solange es noch drauf ist und nicht nur der Fleck übrig ist)
Die Ketschupflasche (*)
Der Ketschupspender
Sonderfälle:
"Gib mir mal DEN Ketschup"
"Das ist kein Blut, das ist Ketschup" (ohne Artikel)
"Die Pommes ersaufen in dem Ketschup"
"In der Ketschupfabrik wird das Ketschup hergestellt"
(*) Auch ein Sonderfall wenn "Die Ketschupflasche" leer ist, wird sie zu "DEM Ketschupflaschenleergut"
Wie man sieht, Ketschup ist, was die Artikel betrifft, ebenso vielfältig wie es Varianten von der Tomatenpampe gibt. Allerdings ist es so einfach und logisch aufgebaut, das erklärt sich doch eigentlich von selbst.... zumindest für jeden der deutsch mit der Muttermilch eingesaugt hat ;-)
Lorry?? Isn't that British English?
A good video! Regarding to the Rettungsgasse, there is a big reason why the shoulder is not used: The purpose of the shoulder is for cars which break while driving to get there, so that the lanes are not blocked. Would be very bad for emergency services to drive on the shoulder and then a broken-down car is there as well.
It might be also good to mention, that Germany has a totally different traffic sign system than the Us
Very true! Maybe that’ll be in part 2 😊
Switch that around. The US is the odd one out by not ratifying the international code for street signs as binding for the US.
Almost every other country has ratified the code.
Sounds metric to me 😉@@RustyDust101
True and make sense in the US, as well as in Germany. Turn on right is really dangerous for pedestrians. Most drivers just look on the left and don't care if a pedestrian is on the right. Also the position of the traffic lights make just sense for drivers in the US. Cross the street in the US... most drivers will stop in the pedestrian's section. In Germany you have to stop earlier cause you will have no idea what color it is... Overall, no pedestrians... love the US... in Germany... we have pedestrians.
Germany has signed the Vienna Convention on Road signs, which governs most of Europe, but also many African and Asian countries.
Welcome back!
What is even better with the traffic in Germany is, that you have the option to opt out of driving. In the US you are more forced to drive.
I don't really use an article for ketchup.
You should have explained what it means to drive faster than the “recommended” 130 km/h on the highway. If you drive faster than the recommended speed and you are involved in an accident, for example because an inattentive driver moves into the left lane and you drive into them at 200 km/h, then you must be able to justify why you thought you were driving faster than 130 km/h on this stretch of road, taking into account the current weather, road and traffic conditions. If you are unable to do this, you will be awarded partial fault, which is at least 20%, but can also be higher.
Yeah and that no matter how the other driver Was driving. They could be drunk and drive 80kmh on the left lane. You where So fast you get some fault
@@itsgamingtime9578 Right. A key point is always if the accident would have happened when you were going the recommended 130. A similar thing is true for the "Rechtsfahrgebot" which doesn't only mean to switch to the right most lane when possible, but also to drive as much right as "possible". Of course the faster you drive, the more distance you want to have to the right side to not skid off the road. However when an accident happens because some stupid person overtakes another car even though there's oncoming traffic, if you are the oncoming car and you didn't drive on the right side of your lane, you can also get partial blame when the accident would have been avoidable otherwise.
We also have the Sichtfahrgebot (§3 StVO) which means that your speed and spacing has to be choosen so you can always come to a complete stop within your range of vision. So a tight curve or the crest of a hill often block your vision so you should slow down to be able to react fast enough if there's an obstacle just behind the curve / peak.
There are very very few spots on the Autobahn where you could drive insane 300km/h, yet some crazies do it anyways. At a speed of 300km/h you would need almost 1km (1000m) to come to a stop.
A big diffrence to US or other nations is the TÜV for Cars. Its not only checking, if the minimal electric functions work properly, its also check, if the car is allowed to be driven in public
Some US states actually have a state inspection as well. Their criteria may not be as strict as in Germany, but they do check for roadworthiness.
@@derGameplayDJ how many states are doing that, and what are criterias, to fail this inspection?
@@razorix6843 Whereas in Germany safety inspection and emissions inspection (HU & AU) are (almost) always done at the same time, they are treated separately in the US.
15 states require regular safety inspections (some of them even annually), some of which also require an emissions inspection, some don't.
Other states only require emissions inspections.
Maryland and Alabama don't require REGULAR safety inspections, but they DO require them every time a vehicle gets sold. (IMO kinda weird system, but definitely better than nothing).
The criteria for passing the inspection vary from state to state; in some states even from county to county.
Congratulations on your new arrival, I hope mother and baby are doing well and all the best for the future to you all
Congratulations on the new addition to your family. I enjoyed this video. 😊❤
12:11 I am completely amazed: You said "lorries" despite coming from the US. - I was taught that "lorry" is only used in B.E. whereas in A.E. "truck" is the term of choice for the vehicle in question. Seems my teachers were not as smart as they thought they are.
White circle sign with 4 black lines across it from the upper right to the lower left (also called Vorschriftzeichen 282 StVO ). It means all road bans are lifted.
If it is the same sign with a number in it, e.g. 70 (VZ 278-70) as shown in the video, that means only the speed limit of 70km/h has been lifted, but other road bans as for example an overtaking ban stay in place.
When I edited this video I actually considered doing a voiceover to fix that because I was also confused as to why I defaulted to that word and it felt weird 😂 My explanation is that B.E. is so pervasive in Europe that we‘ve kind of picked up some B.E. from non-native English speakers because it’s what they learned and we hear all the time. However, I would correct and say that „truck“ isn’t the default term of choice for these in A.E. In A.E. a „truck“ refers to a pickup truck. A „lorry“ is actually referred to as a „semi“ in A.E. most commonly.
@@PassportTwo Thanks for the answer: Am I correct to assume that the word "semi" is an abbreviation for "semi truck" whereas the other vehicle is a "pickup truck" and "semi truck" in itself does not necessarily refer to the whole contraption as such, but originally to the part of the vehicle that contains the motor and is responsible for the towing work? Because "semi" means "half" so there is a "semi truck" (in German "Zugmaschine) and a "semi trailer" (in German "Auflieger"), where those two halves compose a vehicle that is referred to as "lorry" in B.E. and over time people came to refer to the whole thing as "semi". - Which would make sense, since "truck" in itself has something to do with "pulling". -> A Tractor pulls farming equipment across a field.
You are correct that „semi“ is an abbreviation for „semi truck.“ The front part with the motor being the „semi“ and the back attachment being a „trailer.“ If you see them attached or just the front part driving without an attachment, we would refer to those as a „semi.“ If you see just the attachment, we would call that a „trailer.“ 😊
Ich hab euch ungefähr 2020 "gefunden" und seitdem schau ich regelmäßig bei euch rein. Ihr seid mir echt sympatisch. Eure Intros finde ich nach wie vor witzig, behaltet das bei :D Alles Gute euch weiterhin!
Vielen Dank! 😊
I don't break for "Blitzers". I just stick to the speed limit anyway...
That strategy will never work…😉
Than you are a responsible driver. Kudos.
I do something similar, never had a traffic congestion in front of me ;)
I'm so confused about some drivers. There are these niece signs by the side of the road telling you exactly how fast you may drive. They ignore these and than are angry when they get a ticket. And it's always: "i know the road, therefore i can drive as fast as i want!"
Weirdly, there are a lot of people on our roads that stick to the speed limit but break anyway when a Blitzer is coming up. Speed limit is 50, everyone is doing 50... and then, the driver in front of you slams their brakes and you pass the Blitzer at 30. No idea why people do that, but it happens a lot.
Der!
Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Danke! 😊
There are quite some differences in requirements for road safety. German cars regularly have to get their operation permits renewed. For that, they have to pass a safety inspection every two years. Furthermore, turn lights (with some exceptions) have to be amber. You will hardly find any cars with red turn lights in Germany.
7:00 Zippers are mostly in front of construction sites, sometimes on less frequented streets announced by a sign... I'd consider it polite to stay in the ending lane next to a car indicating to the car behind where I intend to go. Neither speeding past nor merging too early.
If you have a ramp or a line on the left discontinued, there are markings of the lines on the street and those who have to leave their line have to take care as with changing into another lane
Herzlichen Glückwunsch, I hope the baby and Audrey are ok? ❤👏👏
Aubrey and baby are all good, thanks! 😊
@@PassportTwo So it´s Aubrey, not Audrey, sorry 😨
The end of speedlimit sign means only no speed Limit on the Autobahn. On regular streets outside town it means max. 100km/h.
Congrats!
RQOTW: Der Ketchup
Thanks!
No ketchup! :o)
The written exam isn't really hard... you need to learn, but it is multiple choice and about 50% of the questions can be solved with logic if you attended the school hours...
Multiple choice, yes. But you have to get ALL parts of a question right, not just one answer. If you fail to answer all parts each individual failed part has a point value. At eight points missed you fail your exam.
@@RustyDust101
At 11 points missed you fail the exam, except if it where two 5-point questions, then you also fail
Moreover, the questions on any given exam are all taken from a standard catalog that can be found on paper or on the internet. Just go through all of them until you have them down and it's easy-peasy. When I took my written test, I was done in less than 10 minutes and scored 100%. I didn't understand why the other exam candidates were sweating over the questions!
Dont use the words logical thinking and us americans in the same sentence
@@razorix6843 Round about 50% are pretty ok I would say... others might have trouble to find the pencil if it placed next to the piece of paper to fill out the test...
If both lanes are very short, there would be a traffic jam across an intersection, so both lines would have to fill up and only merge at the end.
About the zipper merge, before it was included in the law in 2001, it often happened in Germany too that lanes were blocked by some drivers so to prevent others from cutting in line. At that time, the new regulation was also criticized by many, but now most people have gotten used to it and follow it. Also because most people noticed that it is quicker for everyone overall.
You can do a bit about technical checks on vehicles that is mandatory (and strict), that also contributes greatly to the highway safety. Or red rear turn signals, and "right turn on red" difference between EU and US.
Definitely! In Oklahoma we aren't required to do safety inspections but in Texas, for example, you are required to do so. It's a complicated patchwork of which states require them and which don't 😅
Sorry slight correction:
- the toll for trucks is billed by onboard systems and collected automatically
- those blue poles are a second system to find people tricking the system. The results from those poles are compared to the onboard logs.
Gutes Video,
Zur Frage zur Roten Soße : dat Ketchup 🤣😅🤭
Herzlichen Glückwunsch und alles Gute für Mutter und Kind.👩🍼👨🍼❤
Bei uns war es immer Der Ketchup. Scheint eins von den Wörtern zu sein, bei dem wir Deutschen selbst nicht so genau wissen, was richtig ist. 😀
Danke!
Das Ketchup, das Nutella.
Das Ketchup is a very Austrian thing. We also say DAS Cola instead of DIE Cola, and DAS Teller, and not DER Teller... Both versions are correct, according to the "Austrian Wordbook" / "Das Österreichische Wörterbuch", which is the officially vocabulary book used in schools - we can't use the "Duden"
Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Thank you for the Information on the blue non-blitzers. Didn‘t know that these belong to the lorry toll system😮😊
To speeds on Autobahn:
- the average speed on a populated Autobahn might be slightly over 120km/h (let's say 75m/h).
- When I (some years ago in my job) asked google maps for a longer trip - I hardly could match their estimated speed of 130km/h - speed limitations and congestions always made my average lower than that. And - all of my family assume I drive like hell.
Really? Well, I drive on busy highways every day. And outside of the 2-3 hours of rush hour traffic in the morning and afternoon, I have no problems driving significantly faster than 130 km/h on a regular basis. And during rush hour, there are only a few exits and large interchanges where there are regular traffic jams. But before and after? No problem there.
@danielbraun1898 10 years ago I retired. Before I drove a lot typical Cologne - Darmstadt or Minster or Bielefeld. I hardly managed an average speed over 110kmh. Even with top speed of 200kmh
My instinct: der Ketchup.
The strangest part for me in Germany was the "right before left", and even after more than 20 years of driving here, I still have to think about it consciously whenever I am not on a Vorfahrtsstraße. It seems oddest to me when I am driving on the part of the road that is straight at a T-intersection and I have to yield to someone who has to turn.
@ Thank you! The theory is fine; this has just never become second nature for me like it is for someone who grew up here and never knew anything different. Where I learned to drive, if you didn‘t have a stop or yield sign, you had the right of way; you didn‘t have to think about it. That‘s all.
In the USA, the interstate highways are strewn with garbage, such as huge chunks of tires that have come of the poorly maintained American cars and trucks, not to mention thinks that fall off all those giant pick up trucks such ladders, boxes of nails and screws, paint, sheetrock mud, sofas, chairs, refrigerators and matresses etc. In Germany, if one tiny piece of garbage is in on the highway, all radio channels are interrupted and its announced....Two extremes...
And in Austria, and Germany, all cars have to go to the TUEV, the technical control board, (MOT) which checks your car for road safety. A brand new car can be driven for 2 years, until it has to be TUEV-checked. You can overdraw the TUEV appointment for 4 months, but if you miss it; the police can remove your licence plates and you lose your vehice type approval. You will get a ticket, a deficency list, and an appointment at the PD, to show, that the car is fixed and road-safe. In addition of missing a MOT check, you lose the manufacturer's warranty. Pretty bueraucratic stuff, but some rules are for road safety. For example, a car has oil leakeage, and causes rear cars to slip into the oncoming traffic. That's why, we have MOT checks, TUEV is the german term for it.
The written exam is just multiple choice out of a big pool of questions. Usually your driving instructor provides you with a learning app
Recht vor links?
Und ich mag die verschiedenen Ketchups.
The zipper merge in Germany is really good but could be better if the drivers wouldn't try to merge too early but drive on the left lane as long as possible and merge then. But a lot of drivers think that they want to cut them and in consequence block them.
Congrats❤
Thanks 😃
Its a litteral flasher. 1/4 of these things is just a flashing thing. You find these poles, it is just a flasher. They put a camera after the flasher, maybee, in a flexible distance. That is why you can break the flasher and still get a ticket. Where the camera is, find out. The other 3/4 has a camera in it. Thats something my dad told me. My dad works in the streetwork and knows that (ptv thingy)
The toll is only for business vehicles which were used to transport goods, except buses which obviously transport people. For private vehicles over 3.5t there is no toll to pay (yet)
DER Ketchup natürlich! 😁
Some points for an other video: differences between "Autobahn, Bundesstraßen, Landstraßen" and "innerorts" with different speed limits, different between "Höchstgeschwindigkeit" and "Richtgeschwindigkeit"..
One thing about the recommended speed limit of 130 km/h: If you drive faster and there is an accident, you have to justify that the accident also would have occurred if you drove only 130 km/h. Otherwise, you will get fined for causing an accident due to an unadapted driving speed.
I am a fan of the four-way-stop. When I first read about it (preparing for a road trip in the US), I wondered how that was supposed to work. I found it pretty better than the right-before-left rule, we have in Germany. You know: you can spend quite some time waiting for no more car coming from the right. First come, first go is much fairer imho.
I took Drivers Ed in high school and they didn’t teach zippering. So it seems that one should move over ASAP or they might not be let in at the end. I have sometimes driven in both lanes to prevent someone from cutting the line!
Driving in Germany: It is not all about long term training by LICENSED (!!!) Driver Schools. And it is not just gentle behaviour to form the "Rescue Lane" , but it is highly recommended to avoid harsh legal and payment consequences.
Would you like the following fine for not forming such lane ? : 200 Euro AND drivers license will be collected for 1 month ( means no driving for one month ! ) AND you get 2 "Points" in the "Federal Register of Driving Offenses". If you collect time by time 4 Points you will get a warning by mail. Red-Stop-Light passing at a crossing (even if no other car can be seen while red-light period) result to 2 Points. As soon as 8 Points there will be the REVOCATION of your driver license.
Revocation means the total LOSS of it. No extension.
To get a new driver license you have to get through all procedures like you never had a license before.
On top there is one additional process before even beginning again a course at Driver School: you have to pass a psychological examination (nick name: idiots test) which check if your character is actually matching the requirements of safe driving.
Thus you will perform good driving practise, particularly at high speeds and also give way for a "Rescue Lane" if required.
BTW: visitors of Germany may not get away by flying home: your rent a car company will get the ticket and because this in Germany registered company has to pay the fine on behalf of you. As your credit card is known to the rent a car company all costs will finally be deducted from your card. Money fines are almost doubled for foreigners to compensate the non-collection of your license as the Germans have to face.
Have a nice driving experience according to rules in Germany and thus prevent all of us from any harm.
I’ve talked in another video how tickets and fines in Germany are super cheap. At least, compared to fines in the U.S. When I got my first speeding ticket, for example, I couldn’t believe the tiny slap on the wrist compared to the hundreds I was fined for a simple speeding ticket in the U.S. In my opinion, the threat of a fine isn’t that great to influence behavior in Germany compared to the U.S. 🤷🏻♂️ Also, I’ve had a couple of American friends and family who have gotten tickets in Germany driving and you are correct, they do send them to them even though they are in the U.S., but they aren’t doubled simply because they are foreigners. They have always been the same price as if a local did the infraction…
@@PassportTwo Quote: " In my opinion, the threat of a fine isn’t that great to influence behavior in Germany compared to the U.S. " unquote. For sure, it´s not all about money.
You may not have understood the COMBINATION of money fines AND the Points System to get your driver license cancelled. Simply get 2 points for speeding and a red-light passing (1,5 sec. too late, sorry) with another 2 points. You can do on an afternoon. Have a look in your letter box. Think it would be of great influence to your driving behavior in Germany.
Don´t be a coward and have a try. In most cases a test period of just 3 months license collection would do.
I am very well aware and do understand the point system in combination with the fines in Germany, but based on your comment, I'm not sure you understand how the point system works in Germany... You generally have to do something fairly egregious to earn a point. You do not get 2 points simply for speeding, not even close. You have to be speeding AT LEAST 21km/h over the speed limit to earn a SINGLE point. To earn 2 points, you have to be driving AT LEAST 41km/h over the speed limit. Also, simply running a red light does not get you 2 points, it gets you 1 point. Then it takes 8 points for you to get your license removed. That would be impressive to achieve and you would have been driving like a complete maniac to ever reach that.
Again, if you are simply getting speeding tickets, it is a tiny slap on the wrist compared to the U.S. even with the point system.
Sources:
Speed limit points - www.bussgeldeinspruch.org/punkte-in-flensburg/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAoJ9fR9tX2kSnhuTRbZMFHhFWes1U&gclid=Cj0KCQiAu8W6BhC-ARIsACEQoDBZquJADYECwmqtrGrurZW37gOFBL1esvWVNiTOl4yDhfbzl9A8iVUaArjtEALw_wcB
Red light - www.bussgeldkatalog.org/rote-ampel/?Brote%20%2Bampel%20%2Bpunkte&.org-search&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADcu96SQJV4p8iwk9go5_5ZCOED32&gclid=Cj0KCQiAu8W6BhC-ARIsACEQoDA1XBHVk0IUfun_mbYVg0uwHlKIURq-PmlbAWx6yI4EXIYfFnNXBekaAiASEALw_wcB
Jeder fährt so schnell wie er zahlen kann.😁
Reißverschlussverfahren on merging lanes has a clear rule (in Germany), but yet many either never learned it or keep on ignoring it, unfortunately. Specifically in Switzerland.
It's actually because in Germany you are taught to wait until the merging lane ends and in Switzerland, they are taught let people merge when it is least disturbing to traffic flow. Ergo, they think that Germans are trying to jump ahead and consequently think "Not with me, schwob".
15:14 den Ketchup
„Reich mir Mal bitte den Ketchup.“
„Kannst du mir den Ketchup aufmachen?“
„Vergiss bitte nicht den Ketchup zu kaufen“
😉
Omggggg, is that why I was able to get my Washington state license without having to take any tests when I moved there from Germany?? Now it all makes sense! I didn't know this for almost 20 years! 😂 I just thought I was lucky. Thank you for clearing that up!
Haha, ya! We were confused when we got a German license so easily but have friends from the states who were studying for the German driving tests 😅
Suggestions for a part 2, parking in narrow compared to rhe US streets, and the most painfull one, refuelling at the gas station...
When these roads in Oklahoma have no gouvermental funding, are there higher speed limits?
Ah a 1.FCK fan, nice. Good that you are integrating into the region.
👹
When can we expect a citizenship video?
Good question! 😅 I'm really excited about making one, but the process is still ongoing. I've had 3 in-person appointments trying to get the government everything they want from me to apply, and now I'm just kind of in a waiting game. Hopefully very soon! 😊
Insane. What did they ask for?
In my county they also said the processing time is 18 months. So now Im waiting for them to process everything. Jenna from life in duesseldorf already got her application processed and is now a German citizen. It only took 3 months. No idea what cheat codes she used.
@@tesla.8410 Before my first appointment they told me, for example, they needed 1 Steuerbescheid, but then in the meeting they said the rules changed since they spoke to me, but didn't tell me, and that they actually needed 2 Steuerbescheids (Among other documents they didn't tell me they needed). They also told me that since my next child was born, they would wait on everything so they could process them together and then told me what documents I needed once the child was born. Well, in the second appointment after my second child was born, they realized they told me the wrong documents they would need and that I would have to set up another appointment and told me the correct documents to bring to that one...Then, finally, in my third appointment they accepted those documents and I guess we should be good to go now. However, my county won't tell me a processing time for some reason 😅 So, I'm completely in a limbo of not knowing what's going on now 😂
@@PassportTwo LOL, why does all this mess sound so familiar to this German Granny who was fighting our German bureaucracy all her life?
#Das Ketchup. Main difference I noticed is the much larger roads even in supposedly quiet neighborhoods and the missing standard speed in the U.S.. I am so used to 50 km/h, 100 km/h, recommended 130 km/h, that I am somewhat nervous on U.S. roads because there is no default to fall back to if you miss a sign. And then there is the fact, that nearly all crossings in the U.S. are rectangular, while irregularly shaped crossings are the norm in Germany. It allows for posting the name of the crossing street on a sign above the crossing, and it allows for traffic lights on the opposite side, things which simply don't work on many crossings in Germany. That being said, I experienced the I5 in Seattle, WA during the summer, and I am fine.
The Maut (street charges) topic isn't entirely correct.
There are some Maut routes in Germany, but they are usually easy to avoid. We even have a feature in Google Maps blocking these routes in our settings. But there are some tunnels you must pay for (like in Rostock and Lübeck).
For many big cities, you need an environmental badge to prove that your car is climate-friendly enough to drive in the inner parts of the cities. It's mostly to reduce pollution and limit the risks of associated illnesses (like Stroke, dementia, premature births, type II diabetes, arteriosclerosis, heart attacks, life-shortening effects, and more. (Sources below)) and the worsening impact of those already affected.
(Yes, the air quality is a huge factor in how bad Asthma and similar respiratory illnesses affect people. That's why doctors send/recommend people to the sea, forests, and mountains for rehabilitation.)
Also related to the autobahn:
The recommendation is 130 km/h. Everything higher can get you to a court hearing, where you must explain how you weren't inconsiderate/recklessly driving, including proof that you at any time had full control/clear view of the other drivers and weren't endangering them.
Otherwise, you may be convicted under Section 315d (1) No. 3 of the German Criminal Code (StGB). Often referred to as racing against yourself or solo racing. Which would fall under the category of illegal car racing.
You should expect a prison sentence of up to two years and at the very minimum a fine, even without an accident.
AND, if you really fucked up and someone was killed or died on the aftereffects of an accident with you. You can even be charged with murder. (reference case number in the sources)
In every case, the car will be confiscated. Ownership will automatically transfer to the government (even if it's a rental car or from a friend or family member), and the vehicle will likely not be returned.
And then comes the insurance, in Germany, they MAY pay the accidental damages of a third party. Since a car race is a breach of contract and obligation. In the best-case scenario, the insurance company can recover the resulting debt of up to €5,000 from the driver.
Comprehensive insurance does not cover such a case, because the claim expires, due to the crime.
So please be mindful and drive safely.
Sources
Maut:
www.vintrica.com/de/e-vignette/deutschland/?srsltid=AfmBOorKVmLDYjG3otuf7KKwjzqSHA4w7wsNBhha2RxwsJsm6iBV--f4
Illnesses and consequences related to pollution in cities:
www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/luft/wirkungen-von-luftschadstoffen/wirkungen-auf-die-gesundheit#aussenluft www.bund.net/themen/mobilitaet/schadstoffe/feinstaub/
www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/de/home/themen/luft/fachinformationen/auswirkungen-der-luftverschmutzung.html#:~:text=Die%20Luftverschmutzung%20hat%20negative%20Auswirkungen,versauert%20und%20überdüngt%20empfindliche%20Ökosysteme.
www.bund.net/themen/mobilitaet/schadstoffe/stickoxide/
Autobahn:
www.deubner-recht.de/themen/kfz-rennen/rennen-gegen-sich-selbst-solorennen.html#:~:text=Gemäß%20§%20315d%20Abs.,Solo-%20oder%20Einzelrennen%20bezeichnet).
www.anwalt.de/rechtstipps/illegales-oder-verbotenes-kraftfahrzeugrennen-das-verbotene-rennen-gegen-sich-selbst-315d-stgb-217471.html#:~:text=Gemäß%20§%20315d%20Abs.,eine%20höchstmögliche%20Geschwindigkeit%20zu%20erreichen.
Bundesgerichtshof, Az.:4 StR 482/19 (case of the Ku'damm-racer)
Bundesgerichtshof, Az.: 4 StR 319/21 (and the accomplice)
www.adac.de/verkehr/recht/verkehrsvorschriften-deutschland/illegale-autorennen/
automatically
8:18 That always seemed so alien to me in American movies. Ctching s.o. red handed also appears antiquated to me...
Hello. Do You know what to do if a traffic light isn't working? I remember a horrific crash in my youth on the biggest crossway of my town, because an American woman didn't know, that it wasn't her turn, when the traffic lights malfunctioned.
If a traffic light is out of service (it's either blinking yellow or completely turned off), the traffic signs (Main Road, Yield, Stop) attached to the traffic sign's pole become active. As long as the traffic light is working, those street signs are invalid. If you see a police man coordinating the traffic using hand signs, traffic signs are also invalid.
@@arnothar8035 And the last step, when everything mentioned before failed (No stoplights, no police, no signs) its "Rechts for links" (Right before Left).
Are there never backup signs with american traffic lights?
Maybe that's difficult because they don't have posts next to your stop line...
"You technically are allowed to drive as fast as you would deem safe"
That is wrong. The StVO says in §3
"Es darf nur so schnell gefahren werden, dass innerhalb der übersehbaren Strecke gehalten werden kann."
"You may only drive as fast as it is possible to stop within the foreseeable distance."
Depending on the scenario there are some adjustments to that rule.
And there are also a few more rules that invalidate that statemtn. Actually, §1 already does that.
And if you are going really fast, you might be partially liable in case of an accident. And problems with insurances also might occur.
"One may only drive so fast that one can still stop within visible distance" would probably be a bit more accurate.
@@Llortnerof Thx, for the better translation.
For your 2nd part:
- What is your experience with other modes of transport?
- How independent are children, how safe cyclists in your region?
- Does the infrastructure impact on your way of driving/mode of transport?
- Illegal jaywalking vs witing at a red pedestrian light...
extra credits for that hoodie!
On the BAB (aka German Autobahn) you are not allowed to "race" (not even alone), but you can drive as fast as you want, if there us now speed limit.
It's not the wording, it's the intension.
Also: NEVER slam your brake for the cameras. Know your speed, and keep to the speed limits. And if you like speeding so much, just face the consequence: Pay the fine (and don't be afraid to get points from Flensburg if you're German).
Are you guys living in Kaiserslautern? because of the hoody with FCK club thats my hometown and if yes are you guys moved there because of the airbase and the big American community
I dont have a drivers license but im always impressed to see how seamlessly people zipper merge or move to form a rettungsgasse. Probably all thanks to actually having to do some hard theoretical and practical training before being allowed to drive.
One question tho, in germany i believe its required to also do a Erstehilfekurs, does america have anything similiar?
No, most states don’t have any kind of requirement for a first aid course to get a license. All states have different standards and requirements though, and I’m not well versed in all of them. So, some might require something similar, I’m not just aware of any that do require it.
First aid is also required by law if an emergency occurs (in Germany); and the aider is not liable if they does honestly try, however well. That's different in the USA, isn't it?
Speaking of tolls, you didn't mention that Czech Republic AND Austria both of highway tolls that you have to buy when you get to the borders. If you get caught without it, you'll receive a penalty.
Because the video was about Germany and the U.S. 😂
I say 'das'.
I thought blue towers were radars until I watched this video and I've been living here for 19 months 😅
LOL Den Ketschup :P XD
At 2:31 you say the written exam is notoriously hard and I kinda disagree. Yes the test is hard when you don‘t study but thats why we have the hours in the classroom and nowadays an App to learn every question. For me the test was incredibly easy because i took it serious. Took me maximum 10 minutes to finish it. So I wouldn’t say it‘s hard. Only when you don’t take it serious. At least thats what I experienced.
Where's the 2,500€ driving school? Usually you have to pay about 3,000 to 3,500€ in my region in Northern Baden-Württemberg
obviously "der Ketchup" since historically speaking "der" is the oldest, and general used therm for everything.
There's no way you said the written exam is notoriously hard. It's one of the easiest multiple choice tests out there
I think that for the zipper merge the different "cultures" plays also a huge role. Individualismind the US: (everyone should look ot for themsef first) vs. Being mindful of other people around you. (looking at it more closely, it is also a low-starkes form of the prisoners dilemma)
Other notes: (disclaimer: those were written from the perspective of an Austrian, so some rules may be different in Germany)
There are some exceptions where you can pass on the right:
- Turning lanes, (at intersections)
- dense traffic "Kolonnenverkehr"
- special rule for Trams/Streetcar, where you have to actually have to pass on the right (in most cases) (possibly Austria only,. I think the reason is, because of the length of a tram, it may be too dangerous to pass on the left, forcing drivers to seen a longer time on the wrong side of the road. And funnily enought this exception has exceptions of is own, where you have to overtake on the left again)
There is a difference between normal speed limits and zones:
"normal" speed limits are lifted automatically when you turn off the road at an intersection. Whereas zones (specifically labeled as such) only get lifted by a end of zone sign. (zone signs are essentially the regular (circular) speed limit sign printed on a rectangular sign, with the word "ZONE" below it)
Das Ketchup und der Ketchup sind beide korrekt. Wir sagen hier in der Region "das", "der" habe ich noch nicht gehört.
Das Ketchup habe ich noch nie gehört!
The Austrians do one better ! It is required that you pass a auto safty course within 1 year of getting your licence. And your licence can be revoced if you speed too much or cause an accident.
Maybe not the safety course but in Germany the first two years are also special where you have to extra careful about the rules
the written exam is a multiple choice quiz out of a pool of about 2000 questions.
its really not that hard...
Das Ketchup for the algo 😉
It was an interesting experience during my 16 years of living there. My visits back, we only used public transportation. I had a GA state license, and worked for DoD and got a US Army license for Germany green paper card. That was later transferred to a German Grau Lappen. Which my understanding are no longer valid or valid only for people of a specific age. Got mine in 1984, and I am now 61.
The "Graue Lappen" had to be changed for the new credit card format. The classification was transitioned with it, the EU classes are more detailed.
People born before 1953 have until 2033 to exchange their old licenses for the new format. But you need to check to see when you are required to do it. It will be before 2033. There are plenty of websites with the required information. It's based on your year of birth.
@ thank you, don’t think I could renew/change it since I live back in the US with my German wife, just would hate to lose it should we decide some day to return.
@@jamesharrison2374 That could well be a problem or even impossible. If it were me, however, I would try to find out.
@@michaelmedlinger6399 The document might not be valid any longer, but if they registered you properly the permit might still be...
The Utopia of driving is...to not have to drive ever.
DAS Ketchup natürlich. Wer was anderes sagt, ist doof 😊
out of all adults, a bit less than 80 % having driving license, whilst the others don't have or don't want or need have (like me).
As someone wrote:
Pass test in USA= you are allowed to drive
Pass in Germany= you have the skill to drive
Not to mention we've car inspection every 3/ 2 years. In the USA: it has 4 wheels who won't fall off next 10 miles 👍
That's only correct in some states. Parts of America have a mandatory vehicle inspection
Speaking of „being handed a drivers license“: these days I have the feeling a huge part of drivers are simply getting their drivers license giftet to them. The amount of drivers unable to follow simple rules of the road is getting out of hand.
Nur "Ketchup" ohne Artikel. Gib mich Ketchup, z.B.
"mich" anstelle "mir"? Bist du aus Berlin? Oder wo sagt man das so?
@@tobyk.4911 Mir oder mich ist nicht das Problem. Leute die mein und dein nicht unterscheiden können sind das Problem.
Hab ich jedenfalls mal gelernt 😏
Also an interesting fact is that we Germans mostly drive manual cars, while you Americans mostly drive auromatic cars.
Congratulations!
€30 for 9 km/h too fast in a 30 km/h zone? If you think that isn't too much, be careful when driving in the Netherlands. The same speeding ticket is €121 over here.
In Denmark, it is quite expensive if you go 39 in a 30 zone. Forgetting about your actual speed, if you are fined for going 39 km/h (30 % too fast), it will cost you 3000 DKK (400€) and double (6000 DKK or 800 €) in a roadworks zone.
When I visit my home country, I try a bit harder than here in Germany to keep the speed limits. 😅
Some of the fines in Germany are still ridiculously low compared to Denmark.
If you drive way too fast (+100%) you will get fined very high (+7000 DKK) and you will lose you license and if driving dangerously your car too.
A Norwegian millionaire lost his brand new very expensive sportscar (Lamborghini) that way a few months ago. He had only had it for a week. 😂
@@gubsak55 Oh, that's crazy expensive 😲
In the Netherlands you will loose your drivers license on the spot if you're speeding 50 km/h or more. If going twice the speed limit, your car can be impounded.
Also, if you're speeding 30 km/h (40 km/h on the highway) or more you will be 'marked'. Too many marks and your drivers license is on the line as well.
beides, sowohl der Ketschup als auch das Ketschup ist richtig (laut Duden)
One great reason Germans drive more save as us drivers is that we must drive by law at the right lane. Not like us highway drive where you want
Like I mentioned in the video, this is also law in the U.S., but it’s just not adhered to or really enforced very often
@PassportTwo thx for the info. I never heard this before.
The deaths per month in the US is also much higher because most of the cars are junk. Bad tyres, bad brakes, rotten suspension etc.
DER KETCHUP!!!
Das. And congrats on your baby Nr. 2!
Danke! 😊
es ist eine gute Frage ob der oder das Ketchup
Sicher ist, dass es nicht die Ketchup ist
What I as a German find annoying about explanatory videos about the Autobahn is, that they often use footage of crashes and other incidents that didn't even happen on the Autobahn, but on any other highway in the world to make their videos seem more "interesting" or driving on the Autobahn with "nO sPeEdLiMiT" seem much more dangerous than it actually is.
When you're German, you'll see that very quickly by comparing the road structure, signs, licence plates etc. But for foreigners, it might not be as obvious and then they get concerned and worried unnecessarily.
Although both is correct, in the region I'm from I've never heard anyone say "der Ketchup".
1:40 Germans the best drivers in the world?!? Hell, no. This is coming from me as a German.
Better base education in driving? Probably
Better at forgetting all that base education in many cases? Oh yeah, definitely.
Edit
Damn, random question of the week:
Now I'm ping-ponging back and forth. I'd probably go with "das Ketchup", but darnit, I'm still on the fence...
Sorry; but I don't care what German politicians have decided. I have my own experiences with American drivers and there are tons of them in Kaiserslautern and near by, as you know. I will say it very politely; I would send every American to a German driving school first before he was allowed behind the wheel. I had 3 accidents in and around Kaiserslautern in the last two years and each time it was US citizens who hit me. No turn signal when changing lanes, overtaking on the right, and right before left is the gigantic unknown in an American brain. When I think that an American could meet me on the Autobahn, I get nightmares. And if there is still a millimeter of snow on the side of the road...
Going on 6 years in that area and never had an accident…how have you managed 3 in 2 years? Are you sure you don’t need to take part of the blame? 😅 Or maybe you’re being specifically targeted and it’s all a big conspiracy? 😂😉
Well, "if" Germans are better drivers, then it's because of the way better education. As you said - theory in classroom, 20+ hours with certified instructor in car!
Der Ketchup natürlich! Hela Curry Ketchup mag ich am liebsten.
6:24 it's not rude, it's efficient
DER Ketchup
Sorry but you didn't mention one important point regarding the zipper merge. It is mandatory by law that drivers in the left lane (which is closing) not simply force their way to the right lane. The zipper merge works by alternating right or way. One from the left, then one from the right goes through, then one from the left again and so on. This is pretty straight forward and Germans are probably laughing at me for even telling but after watching a ton of American dashcam videos, I know this is something which (at least certain) Americans still need to get their head around, because letting someone else in front is violating their American pride.
question of the week: Der Ketchup
(ich kann mich nicht erinnern, in ca. 40 Jahren als Deutscher jemals "das Ketchup " gehört zu haben)
Dann warst Du nie mit mir essen. Da wo ich her komme sagen wir das Ketchup. :D
Crossings with 4-way stop signs. How can anybody have Vorfahrt on those?
first come first serve . best is 2-lane 4-way stop crossing.
Why put up signs at all?
@@la-go-xy because if no signs = right of way = you go first
@@michaelz.7140 So, there's a difference.
Priority roads get a sign and the crossroads get give-way or stop in Germany.
Where equal roads intersect in Germany, there is no priority obviously, but right before left (for those who arrive at the same time).
Der Ketchup
das ketchup --- TüV und kleine autos - große Anhänger, kreisverkehr