"Right Turn Against Red Light" allowed?
 

Are drivers allowed to make right turn against a red traffic light in Germany as is allowed in North America?

Do car rental companies generally like to see an International Driving Permit from those holding North American driver's licences with only English on them?

Thanks!

Right turn on Red is not allowed in North America, though it is permitted in some states in the US. Outside of the US it is not allowed anywhere that I know of.

International licenses for US drivers are never asked for in Europe though there are some exceptions in Germany for a few states licenses due to reciprocity reasons.

Right turn on red is not allowed in Germany.

In more than 10 years of renting cars in Germany, I have never been asked for an international driving permit.

Thank you. I believe most states in the U.S. and all Canadian provinces permit right turn on red, unless there is a sign at that light saying one cannot make a right turn against a red light, just like a no right turn or no U turn sign.

Canadian driver's licence is fully exchangeable to a German driver's licence without a test.

Many thanks. In that case, I shall save a few $ not to get the IDP.

Turning right on red is allowed in Germany if there is a (painted) green arrow mounted next to the traffic lights - see this German Wikipedia article for further information:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%BCnpfeil

This is an East German rule that was introduced country-wide after Reunification.

Many thanks. I used Google Translate and got most of the article.

I'd say the green arrow is still pretty rare in the west. I occasionally see one, but people don't always now what to make of it.

The only place left in the U.S. that allows right turns on red only where a sign specifically permits it is New York City.

In the United States "right turn on red except where posted" has been allowed under federal law since the mid 70's. States that wanted federal highway money were required to allow it.

I can't say if it is legal, but it is done in the Netherlands and Italy - seen it many times.

I live in the Netherlands. The only vehicles that "turn right on red" here are bicycles.

Rare in some places, quite common in others. There are several in Lübeck - maybe something to do with its proximity to the former border?

There are plenty of them in Munich especially in my neighbourhood. People have no clue how to properly do it though. You are supposed to stop at line, check for pedestrians, then move forward, look for traffic and then turn. If I stop at the line the guy behind me starts honking like nuts, if I pause to look for traffic before turn, the same aggression. It seems the drivers behind me have superman vision and know exactly whats ahead of me. When I walk across the same crossing I have to run for my life if I happen to be on the crosswalk when a car is approaching :p

In many places in Italy, traffic lights are optional.

....and tourists.