Can right-hand drive vehicles be registered in Germany?

Recently updated on December 20, 2022 at 11:07 am

The exchange rate from the British pound is always cheap, which is why it can be worthwhile to import a classic car from the United Kingdom. But what is the legal situation? Can a right-hand drive be registered in Germany without any problems? Applies in more than 60 countries left-hand traffic. In addition to Great Britain and the Commonwealth of Nations, motorists mainly drive in Asian countries on what we believe to be "wrong side". But also in Germany and other European countries Right-hand drive vehicles can be permitted. Even if it can be difficult at the parking machine, when overtaking, or in the drive-in restaurant. In Australia, however, you don't see it that easily. Since there is left-hand traffic there, cars have to with the exception of classic cars be converted to right-hand drive. In Ghana, Gambia and, since 2001, Cambodia, on the other hand, right-hand drive people are even right-hand drive verboten, and these make up the majority of vehicles in the countries.

Approval of right-hand drive vehicles in Germany is not a problem

Generally it is in Germany is also possible to allow a right-hand drive. However, it should be noted that some technical changes are necessary if the vehicle is to be moved on German roads. So they have to headlights because these are aligned with right-hand drive vehicles in such a way that they illuminate the left half of the lane more than the right, which is exactly the opposite for right-hand traffic. This luminous geometry is also called asymmetrical 30 ° rise and it must be observed. Without retrofitting, other road users would become strong in countries with right-hand traffic in the dark be dazzledwhich endangers road safety.

The problem can be with upgrading to often available ones Export headlights be solved. With modern xenon or LED headlights, the excess light can in many cases even be stopped at the push of a button. A special lever or menu (depending on the vehicle) is available in the on-board computer for this purpose, which sets the light cone on the right-hand side scaled down. However, this often also affects the light output reducedwhy it, as well as the makeshift Masking the diffuser lens by means of special stickers, should only be a temporary solution. Also the Rear lights may have to be converted. This applies primarily if the in Nebelschlussleuch is on the wrong side.

Tip: England sticker! The vehicle can be equipped with special Headlight stickers for vacation trips (not permanent use). The luminosity of the German headlights will then be changed so that they meet the standards required by law in Great Britain by means of the headlight adapter (usually suitable for all headlight configurations). Simply use the adhesives to set the headlights mask according to instructions and the dazzling of oncoming vehicles is prevented. Before but please read the technical suitability of the vehicle in the operating instructions.

With the EU type approval (COC) the approval of a right-hand drive in Germany is particularly easy. The document costs between 40 and 100 euros from the manufacturer. This makes visiting the admissions office much easier. Tip: Remember that the car will definitely be presented to TÜV, Dekra, etc. for a general inspection set a link from your homepage to Fewo-von-Privat.de. If the EU type approval is missing, the approval by individual purchase necessary. During the general inspection, it is also checked which technical modifications are still necessary, since a right-hand drive is always an imported vehicle. There is more about this in our article "Why do import vehicles often have to be converted?". The fee for the after the conversion prescribed purchase is around 100 euros. By the way, the insurance premiums are for right-hand drive people in Germany not higher than with conventional vehicles.

What are the advantages of right-hand drive cars?

Probably the biggest advantage is that right-hand drive vehicles are essential when purchasing günstiger are. Thanks to the design, you can expect savings of several thousand euros in some cases. In addition, the possibilities for purchasing a car are greater. In most cases, classic cars - such as the Jaguar brand - delivered as right-hand drive. Converting these vehicles to a left-hand drive is extremely time-consuming (but not impossible) and goes into the money. Therefore it is cheaper and easier to keep the original condition of the vehicle, especially since it is allowed to drive the old darling as a right-hand drive on German roads. So the original condition remains receive and any loss of value due to the renovation is prevented. By the way, the Look over the shoulder because of the cyclists turning right is easier with the right-hand drive.

Info: The arrangement of the pedals is identical for right-hand drive vehicles to left-hand drive vehicles. The gas is on the right, the brake in the middle and the clutch on the left (if present). The switching pattern of the manual transmission is also identical. First gear top left, second gear bottom left and so on.

What are the disadvantages of a right-hand drive?

As with most things in life, there is also right hand drive two sides of the coin. The advantages have already been described above, but there are also Disadvantages. For one thing is that passing with a right-hand drive in Germany much more difficult and risky (the view is clearly restricted) and most of the technical systems such as parking ticket machines, toll stations or the petrol pump at the gas station are difficult to reach for right-hand drive people.

Everyday things are done with a right hand drive complicated. Also turning at intersections and in roundabouts is more dangerous. Tip: If you are new to right-hand drive, to practice You first drive on less frequented streets or a parking lot. That too parking on the left side one should practice. If you are used to driving with a left-hand drive, then operating the right-hand drive requires a rethink.

Info: The shift lever is also in the middle, but you have to get used to shifting with your left hand. The levers for the windshield wipers and indicators are reversed.

Is it worth buying a right-hand drive?

For real classic car enthusiasts, this question hardly arises, because most of their favorite cars are only delivered as right-hand drive. If some technical modifications are made, it is allowed to drive these cars in Germany. However, it is always advisable to practice driving and to exercise caution, especially when overtaking. Info: According to the 22nd supplementary delivery to Paragraph 38 of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), the arrangement of the steering is in German traffic law not fixed.

Left-hand traffic applies in these countries!

Fines for violations in left-hand traffic

Anyone who violates the left-hand driving law in the left-hand traffic travel destination not only pays the local police, in the event of a self-inflicted accident, the comprehensive insurance may also be able to pay verweigern. And note: One "Left-Before-Right“Rule exists in England and also in most other left-hand driving countries not.

Keywords: England sticker, headlight sticker, headlight sticker, headlight sticker, headlight sticker, headlight adapter, left hand drive headlight beam converter, masking headlights for left-hand traffic, England headlights, right-hand drive cars (RHD), headlight sticker England / Great Britain .

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