Driver Duties & Eco-Driving

Both the owner and the driver are responsible for a vehicle's roadworthiness — the driver must check before driving, the owner ensures it's properly maintained (including TÜV inspections).

If your vehicle becomes unroadworthy mid-trip: take it out of traffic as soon as possible. You may not even drive it to the nearest workshop — fix the issue first.

A vehicle must have valid liability insurance to be used on public roads at all.

Load must never shift, even under braking, and must not obstruct your view or controls.

Front overhang: max 50 cm beyond the front of the vehicle, only allowed if the vehicle is at least 2.5 m tall.

Rear overhang beyond 1 m must be marked with a red light and red reflector in darkness — not an orange plate (that specifically means hazardous goods).

An overload of just 20% can strain your brakes, worsen steering, and stress load-bearing parts. You must not exceed permitted axle loads, and cargo must be secured per proper engineering practice.

Red-and-white warning plates on a vehicle indicate excess width or a trailer parked on the road within a built-up area — not hazardous goods (that's the orange plate specifically).

Handheld phone use while driving is banned outright — hands-free only.

Even hands-free calls distract you — part of your attention is still diverted from driving.

The only legal way to use a handheld phone while in the vehicle: parked in a suitable spot with the engine fully switched off.

A single drop of engine oil can pollute up to 600 litres of drinking water.

Switch off the engine rather than idling at: long traffic jams, closed level-crossing barriers, and roadworks stops — not just a momentary stop sign.

Drive in the low engine-speed range for the lowest fuel use and noise; use cruise control on steady stretches. Dark exhaust smoke is a sign of high wear or bad tuning — get it checked.

Dispose of used oil, lubricants, and batteries at recycling centres or workshops — never in household waste. Regular maintenance (air filter, fuel/ignition system) keeps both fuel use and emissions down.

Always expect other road users to make mistakes — never insist on your right of way if doing so would endanger someone.

Extra care is required for children, elderly or frail people, people with visible disabilities, and drunk or unsteady cyclists — the normal "principle of trust" doesn't apply to them.

Driving unnecessarily slowly is also a hazard — it can provoke dangerous overtaking from traffic behind you.