On German motorways and multi-lane rural roads, you must form an emergency corridor (Rettungsgasse) as soon as traffic slows to walking pace or stops. The rule in § 11 StVO is simple: the vehicles in the far-left lane move left, everyone else moves right. The corridor is always between the leftmost lane and the lane next to it – whether there are two, three or four lanes.
Separately, any vehicle with flashing blue lights and a siren has absolute priority: under § 38 StVO everyone must clear the way immediately. Blue lights without a siren are only a warning and do not give priority.
Where the corridor goes
- Two lanes: left lane goes left, right lane goes right.
- Three lanes: left lane goes left; middle and right lanes go right.
- Four lanes: left lane goes left; the other three go right.
- Memory aid: hold up your right hand. Your thumb is the left lane; the gap between thumb and index finger is the corridor.
Step by step in a traffic jam
- 1Leave enough space to the car in front so you can still steer sideways.
- 2Move clearly to the left or right depending on your lane – onto the hard shoulder if needed.
- 3Keep the corridor open until traffic flows again; more emergency vehicles often follow.
- 4Never drive through the corridor yourself or follow an emergency vehicle through it.
Blue lights at a junction
If an ambulance with blue lights and siren approaches a junction where you have a green light, it still goes first. Pull to the side and stop if necessary. If you are waiting at a red light, try to make space sideways. Creeping carefully over the stop line to let it through is generally tolerated as an emergency, but only if you endanger no one.
Fines
- No emergency corridor formed: €200, 2 points, 1-month driving ban; with obstruction €240, more with endangerment or damage.
- Driving through the corridor yourself: €240, 2 points, 1-month driving ban.
- Not clearing the way for blue lights and siren: €240, 2 points, 1-month driving ban.
Practise emergency-vehicle situations
- 1
Spot the blue lights
Learn when an emergency vehicle overrides every other rule.
- 2
Decide who waits
Set the order for every vehicle at the junction.
- 3
Read the rule
Each solution comes with the StVO explanation.
Free to download on iPhone & iPad
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
When do I have to form a Rettungsgasse in Germany?
As soon as traffic on a motorway or a rural road with at least two lanes per direction moves at walking pace or stops – not only when you hear a siren.
Which way do I move in the middle lane?
To the right. Only the far-left lane moves left.
Does an ambulance with blue lights but no siren have priority?
No. Only blue lights combined with a siren require everyone to clear the way.
What is the fine for not forming an emergency corridor?
At least €200, 2 points and a one-month driving ban.
Is there an English app for German road rules with emergency vehicles?
Yes. Fahrschule 3D: Vorfahrt üben for iPhone includes blue-light scenarios and works in English: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6794609450