Driving Exam Notes

Raviprasad | 26/09/2022

Introduction
● Please note that this document only provides some useful hints to confidently
take the class B driving exam in Germany. I have written this document based on
the scenarios I had to go through during my car driving exam with TÜV in Berlin.

● You are advised to not use this document as the ONLY base for the preparation.

● As driving includes very dynamic situations, this would by no means be

● I may have missed some important scenarios which either I did not come across
in my exam or might be applicable in other cities across Germany. Please feel
free to add such points in this document.

General
● Always be attentive to your surroundings.
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Speed Limits

● Be attentive to maximum and minimum speed limit signs similar to the ones
above.

● Important ones are: 30, 50, 30 during night time (e.g., 22-6h), 30 during day time
(e.g., 7-17h).

Priority Signs

● Watch out for priority signs and give/assume priority accordingly.

● For e.g., Single priority - applicable only at the coming intersection; Yellow sign -
for all the coming intersections until the end of priority sign; Course of the priority
road represented by the thicker line, etc.

Turning
● When turning left/right make sure to look in the mirror before you blink.

● Before you turn your steering wheel (be it for the change of lane or turning)
always check the mirror and the blind spot in that direction.

● Give priority to pedestrians and cyclists when you turn unless you have a green
electric arrow pointing towards the turning direction.

● Let the oncoming vehicles pass first unless you have the green electric arrow
pointing towards the turning direction.
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● If you have the green electric arrow then just go ahead and complete your turn as
all other road users (including pedestrians) would have the red signal.

● Green plastic arrow lets you to turn after briefly stopping for 3 seconds
even though there’s a red light. However watch out for the flowing traffic in that
direction, cyclists and pedestrians.

● If the instructor asks you to “turn left” but you find this sign at the next

junction, Do not turn left here. Wait for the sign similar to this: and
complete your turn there.

● If instructor doesn’t say anything and you see the sign (do not enter) or

(no entry) or the sign (mandatory left or right); Then ask “Left or
Right? “.

● If you had to stop to give the oncoming traffic way to pass in narrow streets or for
any other reason: when you start driving again check left mirror - blink left - blind
spot; then proceed and turn the blink off.

Umkehrung
● Practise “umkehrung” i.e. turning around.

● You can do it in 3 ways. Generally I recommend 3 point or 2 point turn-around.

● Use the mirror - blink - blind spot checks as and when you turn your steering
wheel during Umkehrung.
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30 Zone

● Remember always to give priority to vehicles coming from your right side.

● In junctions slow down (2nd or 1st gear depending upon the visibility or lack of
visibility due to parked vehicles) and always keep your feet on the clutch and the
brake pedal.

● Stay below 30kmph until you see the sign indicating the end of 30 zone provided
the next road does not have the 30 limit again.

Overtaking
● Ensure sufficient gap between you and the vehicle you are overtaking.

● If you see the sign do not overtake until you see the sign .

● Before you start overtaking check the left mirror; blink left; check your left side
blind spot; overtake with sufficient side gap;

● After overtaking check the right mirror; blink right; check your right side blind
spot; maneuver to the right lane back; turn the blink off.

● When overtaking cyclists or motorcycles maintain 1.5m (inside city) or 2m

● Do not overtake when there’s a solid line to your left.

Pedestrian Crossing

● Give priority to pedestrians when you see this sign.

● Slow down and watch both sides of the road constantly. For e.g., if there’s a
supermarket right in front of the pedestrian crossing watch out for the people
walking through the doors of the supermarket. If the door opens reduce speed
further and be ready to brake. There are many such scenarios.

● DO NOT move at any cost if there is someone who is about to use the pedestrian
crossing.

Roundabouts

● Give priority to the vehicles in the roundabout when you see this sign along with
the give way sign.

● Watch out for some fake roundabouts in 30 Zones which do not have the above
sign as well as the give-way sign. In such cases assume right-before-left priority.

Traffic Calming Zones (Play Street)

● Expect pedestrians and playing children on the road. Give them priority.

● As soon as you enter the traffic calming zone, shift to the 1st gear, DO NOT
ACCELERATE.

● Keep your feet on the clutch and the brake, and be ready to brake.
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● Proceed only at walking speed until you see the sign indicating the end of the
traffic calming zone.

Stop Sign

● Do not forget to stop at the stop sign.

● If there’s a thick stop line, stop there. Instead if there’s a cycle lane, stop there; let
all the cyclists and pedestrians pass; then stop again at an imaginary line of
visibility where you can see the traffic clearly from far ahead.

● Stop completely for at-least 3 seconds and then proceed provided there are no
other vehicles or pedestrians coming.

Parking
● Ensure that you constantly check left, center, and right mirrors; both the blind
spots; and lean over between the front seats to check directly behind.

● Do not hit pavement.

● Check for ‘no parking’ signs. Also do not park in front of the sunken curbstone.

● Note: At the end of the test once you park the vehicle: Check your left mirror and
blind-spot, open the door by using both hands as instructed by your driving
teacher, and lock the steering wheel.

Lane markings
● Check the lane markings well in advance.

● If instructor does not say anything you must go straight. Make sure you are in the
lane which is marked to go straight. Else: mirror - blink - blind spot; change to that
lane well in advance.
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● You can cross the dotted lines but not the solid line. Do not switch lanes when
there’s a solid line.

Autobahn

● When entering autobahn: check the speed limit (e.g., 60 or 80 kmph), shift till the
4th gear and accelerate upto the maximum speed limit.

● Blink left and get a good idea when to merge. Generally when you are parallel to
the right lane of the Autobahn, allow vehicles that are in front of you to pass and
merge in front of a vehicle that’s behind you.

● Do not overtake vehicles from right side. Even if a car is going slower on your left,
stay behind him.

● To exit the Autobahn, start blinking when you see the sign indicating your exit is
300m ahead. Do not lower your speed; Mirror - Blink - Blind spot; Maneuver to the
exit lane and then lower your speed;

(Feel free to add more below if I forgot something important)