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Car hire in Germany
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Driving in Germany on an Australian licence
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
No - your Australian licence is enough in Germany.
Germany accepts an Australian licence on its own for stays under six months, though an International Driving Permit is a cheap way to avoid an argument at a hire desk and some companies ask for one anyway.
Drives on the rightOpposite to Australia
Minimum age 18For most hire companies
$50-$110Typical daily hire
No IDP needed1949 Geneva Convention
Is hiring a car in Germany worth it?
Trains beat driving for city-to-city travel. Hire a car for the Romantic Road, the Black Forest and Bavaria.
Typical daily hire runs $50-$110.
Where to hire a car in Germany
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What Australian drivers need to know in Germany
- Roughly half the autobahn network has no general speed limit, but the advisory 130 km/h is what your insurance will expect you to have observed.
- A green Umweltplakette sticker is required to enter the low-emission zone in most city centres.
- Undertaking on the right is illegal on the autobahn and enforced.
- Winter tyres are legally required in winter conditions, not on fixed dates - "situational" means the driver carries the responsibility.
Your licence is enough, but the vehicle class still matters. Australian policies exclude claims from driving without a valid licence for that vehicle. Check your policy covers the vehicle you actually intend to hire.
More Germany essentials
Germany visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to Germany
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
Germany eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
Germany travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
Germany money and cards
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
Germany airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
Germany travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in Germany
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: International Driving Permit: which countries Australians need one for
How these comparisons are made
Licence and permit rules come from the destination's road authority and the Australian motoring clubs that issue International Driving Permits, and each page states whether an IDP is legally required, required in practice by hire companies, or genuinely not needed - three different situations most sites blur into one. Read the full editorial policy.
Germany driving FAQs
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Germany?
Not legally, for stays under six months - an Australian licence is accepted on its own. An IDP is still worth the small cost, because some hire companies ask for one regardless of the law.
Planning Germany?
We will send you the Germany guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.