https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The city of Frankfurt am Main is expanding the use of traffic cameras installed on buses to catch vehicles parked illegally and issue fines. https://www.thelocal.de/20260611/why-drivers-in-frankfurt-should-be-careful-where-they-park Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:44:32 +0200 why-drivers-in-frankfurt-should-be-careful-where-they-park A tax cut on fuels has spared drivers in Germany from sky-high costs since the start of May, but the federally subsidised 'discount' is set to end on June 30th. https://www.thelocal.de/20260611/germanys-fuel-discount-will-not-be-extended-beyond-end-of-june Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:06:33 +0200 germanys-fuel-discount-will-not-be-extended-beyond-end-of-june With almost half of candidates failing, Germany’s theory test can trip up even experienced drivers. Here’s what international residents need to know, and how to improve your chances of passing first time. https://www.thelocal.de/20260609/how-to-study-for-your-german-drivers-licence-theory-exam Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:32:06 +0200 how-to-study-for-your-german-drivers-licence-theory-exam The Swiss parliament has approved a proposal to levy a tax on drivers passing through the country. Here's how the measure would affect travellers from Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20260604/will-drivers-from-germany-be-charged-a-fee-to-pass-through-switzerland Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:28:57 +0200 will-drivers-from-germany-be-charged-a-fee-to-pass-through-switzerland Being hit by a car in Berlin was traumatic enough for two foreign women living in the city, but then what came next - having to navigate Germany's harsh and confusing bureaucratic legal system - proved even worse. https://www.thelocal.de/20260521/interview-how-being-hit-by-a-car-in-berlin-revealed-the-scariness-of-german-bureaucracy Thu, 21 May 2026 16:32:30 +0200 interview-how-being-hit-by-a-car-in-berlin-revealed-the-scariness-of-german-bureaucracy Germany is moving forward with plans to cut costs for getting a driver's licence as ministers approve plans for online learning, fewer lessons and even practice with family. https://www.thelocal.de/20260520/german-cabinet-backs-reform-to-cut-the-cost-of-getting-a-drivers-licence Wed, 20 May 2026 17:13:32 +0200 german-cabinet-backs-reform-to-cut-the-cost-of-getting-a-drivers-licence Nearly 3,000 petrol stations across Germany are violating a law designed to stop multiple daily fuel price increases, a new investigation has found. https://www.thelocal.de/20260519/thousands-of-gas-stations-in-germany-flout-fuel-pricing-rule Tue, 19 May 2026 11:00:08 +0200 thousands-of-gas-stations-in-germany-flout-fuel-pricing-rule Electric car buyers in Germany can benefit from a state-backed subsidy worth thousands of euros in 2026, and the portal to apply has just opened. Here's how much you can get depending on your income bracket. https://www.thelocal.de/20260119/how-much-money-you-can-get-towards-buying-an-ev-in-germany-this-year Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:22:12 +0100 how-much-money-you-can-get-towards-buying-an-ev-in-germany-this-year The price at the pump for petrol and diesel fell at the start of May when a fuel tax cut took effect, but watchdog groups say oil companies haven't passed on the savings to consumers entirely. https://www.thelocal.de/20260504/germanys-fuel-discount-tax-cuts-havent-fully-reached-drivers Mon, 04 May 2026 12:44:48 +0200 germanys-fuel-discount-tax-cuts-havent-fully-reached-drivers Thousands of petrol stations in Germany may be breaching a law intended to limit how often fuel prices can rise, according to new analysis. https://www.thelocal.de/20260430/thousands-of-german-petrol-stations-accused-of-breaking-midday-price-rule Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:58:38 +0200 thousands-of-german-petrol-stations-accused-of-breaking-midday-price-rule The German government has made it cheaper than ever to purchase a new electric vehicle. Here's how the subsidy works, and who's eligible. https://www.thelocal.de/20260403/what-are-the-cheapest-electric-cars-you-can-buy-in-germany-right-now Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:00:09 +0200 what-are-the-cheapest-electric-cars-you-can-buy-in-germany-right-now Fuel prices have risen to record levels in Germany since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East. Here's how you can save some money on petrol and diesel. https://www.thelocal.de/20260402/how-to-save-money-on-fuel-in-germany-as-prices-hit-all-time-high Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:08:38 +0200 how-to-save-money-on-fuel-in-germany-as-prices-hit-all-time-high War in the Middle East has caused energy market volatility around the globe, forcing governments in Europe to intervene and keep fuel costs down for consumers. https://www.thelocal.de/20260328/what-are-european-countries-doing-to-keep-fuel-costs-down Sat, 28 Mar 2026 14:13:15 +0100 what-are-european-countries-doing-to-keep-fuel-costs-down Transport ministers from all German states recently concluded their bi-annual conference where they agreed on specific measures to reduce the cost of getting a driver's licence. https://www.thelocal.de/20260327/german-transport-ministers-back-plan-to-make-getting-a-drivers-licence-cheaper Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:13:47 +0100 german-transport-ministers-back-plan-to-make-getting-a-drivers-licence-cheaper German MPs have approved new fuel price rules aimed at curbing sudden price spikes at the pump. But will limiting price rises to once a day really make filling up cheaper? https://www.thelocal.de/20260326/bundestag-gives-green-light-to-new-fuel-price-rules Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:03:59 +0100 bundestag-gives-green-light-to-new-fuel-price-rules A German top court on Monday rejected a landmark climate case brought by environmentalists that had aimed to force auto giants BMW and Mercedes-Benz to stop selling combustion-engine cars from 2030. https://www.thelocal.de/20260323/german-court-rejects-landmark-climate-case-against-car-giants Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:20:24 +0100 german-court-rejects-landmark-climate-case-against-car-giants Germany is set to reform the process of getting a driving licence to make it cheaper and less complicated. One idea is to follow neighbouring Austria's lead and allow learners to gain experience on practice drives with relatives. https://www.thelocal.de/20260317/parent-led-practice-how-germany-could-make-it-cheaper-to-get-a-driving-licence Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:02:12 +0100 parent-led-practice-how-germany-could-make-it-cheaper-to-get-a-driving-licence Fuel prices in Germany have been rising faster than in other countries, creating a boom in 'fuel tourism'. Here's a look at petrol prices in the neighbouring countries, and what to know about bringing fuel over the border. https://www.thelocal.de/20260312/is-it-worth-crossing-the-border-from-germany-for-cheaper-fuel Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:10:54 +0100 is-it-worth-crossing-the-border-from-germany-for-cheaper-fuel Petrol and diesel are getting more expensive across Europe as conflict in the Middle East disrupts oil markets. But prices appear to be rising faster in Germany. Here’s why – and what drivers can do to spend less. https://www.thelocal.de/20260311/why-fuel-prices-are-rising-faster-in-germany-than-in-other-european-countries Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:08:44 +0100 why-fuel-prices-are-rising-faster-in-germany-than-in-other-european-countries Drivers from the US can use their licences from home in Germany for up to six months or a year, depending how long they intend to reside in the country. After that, the situation gets more complicated. https://www.thelocal.de/20260305/how-long-can-you-use-your-american-drivers-licence-in-germany Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:55:22 +0100 how-long-can-you-use-your-american-drivers-licence-in-germany