Page 22 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany
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20 BACK ROADS GERMANY


       Motorcycles             serious injury or death to the child
       The drives presented in this guide   in a crash. Children under the age
       are also ideal for a motorcycle trip.   of 12 have to be seated in a special
       The well-maintained roads that   child car seat. In this case, it does
       crisscross Germany’s countryside   not matter if the child is seated on
       allow one to enjoy a feeling of   the back seat or on the front seat.
       freedom while discovering beautiful     However, there is an exception
       vistas. To rent a bike, get in touch   to this rule for children who are
       with one of the major rental services   shorter than 150 cm (93 inches).
       well in advance, as rental stations    Children below this height have    Above Motorcycles parked outside a café,
       do not always have them available.   to sit in the back seat.  Hollandische Viertel, Postdam, Brandenburg
       AdMo Tours is a national motorbike     Remember to request any
       rental chain where motorcycles and   necessary child seats in advance   Germany. You can call the ADAC
       dirt bikes can be booked for short   when making your car hire booking.  service number (see p17) to find
       periods. Several brands are available           out how to arrange the booking.
       for hire, including BMW, Harley,   Disabled Drivers    To rent a vehicle, it is necessary
       Suzuki and many more.   There are a number of parking   to present a passport and a driving
         It is mandatory for motorcyclists   concessions for disabled drivers    licence. Drivers must be over 18;
       and passengers to wear protective   in Germany. Visitors from non-EU   however, check before you make
       helmets at all times. Drivers must    countries who wish to apply for   your reservation regarding “age
       have a valid driving licence to cover   temporary parking permits should   restrictions”. It’s recommended that
       a motorcycle or moped, and an   get in touch with the local council    you book in advance, especially
       insurance policy.       or the district authority. Germany’s   during peak season – you will often
         The rules of the road are the same   Federal Ministry of Transport,   get a better rate. Rental rates
       for motorcyclists as for other drivers,   Building and Urban Affairs can advise   usually include unlimited mileage,
       although you should take additional   travellers on this matter. Applicants   but do double-check. Consider
       safety precautions. Go slow when   have to provide a disability ID and    renting a smaller car than you may
       filtering or driving between traffic   a passport-sized photograph. Medical   be used to at home, as they are
       lanes. Give other vehicles a wide   documentation regarding their   much easier to handle on narrow
       berth when overtaking them, and    disabled status might also be required.  country roads than big SUVs. If
       be aware that they might not always   Parking for disabled drivers can be   you need a child seat, it should be
       see you. Motorcycles must have rear   found in all public areas, indicated   booked in advance as well.
       number plate lighting.  with a sign displaying a wheelchair.    Third-party insurance is
                                                       compulsory and is included in the
       Driving with Children   Car and Camper Van Hire  rate. Some rental agreements also
       Drivers must ensure that all passengers  Most of the big international car    include Collision Damage Waiver
       under the age of 12 wear seat belts   hire companies, such as Budget,    (CDW), which limits your liability for
       or sit in an approved child restraint.   Avis, Sixt and Hertz, have offices at   damages to the rental car, theft loss
       Make sure that their seat belts are   airports, railway stations and more   cover and personal injury insurance;
       always fastened. This is not only   expensive hotels, and offer a wide   others charge additional fees for
       obligatory by law, but also important   range of vehicles. The ADAC,   these items. Be sure to read your
       for their safety. Babies must never    Germany’s and Europe’s largest   agreement carefully so that you fully
       be placed in a rear-facing child seat   automobile club, offers rental   understand what your coverage and
       in the passenger seat if there is an   services for tourists who do not    liabilities are. Some drivers may be
       active airbag fitted, as it can cause   want to bring their own vehicle to   able to use insurance from a personal





















   020-021_175705_BR_GER.indd   20                                      25/07/16   2:08 pm
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