• The autobahn is a public speedway, but it has some rules.autobahn bei nacht image by Martin Peitz from Fotolia.com
  
  The German autobahn is a highway where the speed limit is set by the power of your engine. But the public speedway does have a number of rules to ensure safety. While most of the autobahn has no speed limits, there are sections that do limit speed.
  
  

Motor Vehicles

• The autobahn is designed for fast cars.classic sports car image by TA Craft Photography from Fotolia.com
  
  The autobahn is for motor vehicles that can reach 60 kilometers per hour (37 mph). Automobiles and motorcycles are allowed, but mopeds, bicycles and pedestrians are not.
  
  

Speed Limits

• Some sections of the autobahn have speed limits.speed limit image by bilderbox from Fotolia.com
  
  A derestriction sign indicates you are entering an unlimited speed zone area. Some of these signs have lines crossing over a previous speed limit. Signs with a number in the center indicate the maximum speed limit in kilometers per hour.
  
  The recommended speed limit for the unlimited section is 100 kph or 62 mph. If you are involved in an accident and you are driving over the recommended speed, your speed is a factor in determining liability.
  
  Cars with trailers and large trucks are limited to 80 kph.
  
  

Moving Violations

• You must pass on the left on the autobahn.Autobahn image by Peter Walenzyk from Fotolia.com
  
  Passing on the right is not permitted--you must pass on the left. Slower-moving traffic must move to the right lane.
  
  Running out of fuel on the autobahn can result in a violation. While the law does not designate this as a violation, it is illegal to stop on the side of the road unless it is an emergency. If you have an accident, you are required to pull over to the shoulder and post a warning triangle 200 meters behind your car and notify the authorities by calling them on an emergency phone.
  
  When an accident occurs that results a traffic jam, emergency vehicles need to get through. Cars in the left lane must move to the far left side of the road, and cars in the right lane must move to the far right side of the road to create a center lane for emergency vehicles.