Germany Car Rental FAQ | Driving in Germany | Auto Europe ® (2024)

FAQs

Are rental cars in Germany automatic? ›

Wide Range Of Rental Vehicles

We offer manual and automatic transmissions, mated to either petrol engines, diesel engines or even hybrid powertrains. At Enterprise, we want to provide you with enjoyable miles on German roads at an affordable price. We go the extra mile when it comes to customer satisfaction.

Tips for renting a car in Germany

First, be sure to have all of your documents in order before pick up. This includes your driver's license, passport, and IDP. Second, it's always good to use maps when getting a car in Germany. This will help you avoid getting lost on the country's winding roads.

As mentioned above briefly, third party liability and fire insurance are both mandatory, and fortunately these are included in all car rental rates in Germany when you book with Auto Europe, but CDW and Theft protection are not required, as some credit card companies will provide these insurance extras for you.

All drivers must present a valid non-expired driver's license at the time of rental. Those holding a license issued in a Non-Latin-Letter Alphabet must also present a valid International Drivers Permit. All overseas renters require a passport as well as a driving license.

Automatic Car Rental Availability

Because of this, automatic vehicles often sell out as you get closer to your travel dates, especially if you are traveling during the peak summer season. We recommend booking your rental car as early as possible, especially if no one in your party can drive manual transmission.

Automatic cars

You can probably choose to book a German automatic car or if there is a manual transmission in the car. In case you are comfortable driving with a gear shift, you may want to go with one because it might save you quite a bit of money.

With a world-class road network and a vast array of historic and cultural cities and places to visit, Germany is one of the best places in the world to explore by rental car. We've had numerous road trips around Germany, including road trips from Berlin and Munich, and loved the flexibility that a rental car provides.

German law requires that all automobiles have a portable red reflective triangle, first aid kit and a minimum of two safety vests (reflective vests). If a car is stopped for any reason, the triangle must be placed 200 meters behind it if on the autobahn and 100 meters behind it on all other roads.

No, your U.S. car insurance doesn't protect you while driving in Europe. Your rental car fee should include any liability insurance required by the country you're visiting. But you'll need to get extra coverage to avoid paying for damage to your rental car that you cause.

Does my US auto insurance cover me in Europe? ›

International Auto Insurance

In general, your U.S. car insurance will not cover you while you are abroad (but, some policies may cover you if you are traveling to Canada or Mexico). Even if your insurance is valid, it may not meet that country's minimum requirements.

If you have fully comprehensive car insurance at home, and you want the same level of cover for driving abroad, ask your insurance provider if they can extend your policy to include comprehensive European car insurance cover. You might need to pay extra, but it could be worth doing for greater peace of mind.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Germany for a week? Based on the average daily cost of $64, a week will cost about $448.

Rental Car Insurance in Germany Cost

Rental car insurance cost in Germany can vary depending on the provider and coverage selected. The cost of Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection (TP) with zero excess can range from $24 to $55 USD per day, with the deductible cost ranging from €250 to €2,000.

Manual Transmission Availability

Those looking for a manual or standard transmission rental car in Europe are in luck. While they are harder to come by when renting in the U.S., renters will typically find a larger selection of manuals anywhere outside of the country.

Tesla's Autopilot is legal in Germany, but it must adhere to specific regulations that limit its autonomous capabilities. Tesla has faced legal challenges over its marketing, emphasizing the need for accurate portrayal of the system's functions.

In 2020, Europe Mobility Foresight estimated a 75 percent market penetration of automatic transmissions. This was due to changes in consumer behavior in major cities, as six- and eight-speed automatics became more popular.