10 Driving Differences! (Germany & USA)

Driving can be very different in every country! There are some noticeable differences between driving in Germany and the USA. In this video, we talk about some of the differences we came across when driving around each country.
Please Note: These are observations and opinions based on our experiences. These are opinion based statements, not facts. It's very important in today's society that we remind ourselves of the differences. We didn't think it was necessary to put a disclaimer into every single one of our videos; however, as some of our videos are reaching an audience who doesn't know us and/or have only seen a few videos, we feel this reminder is necessary. We want this to be a platform where we can share our opinions, observations and differences in a positive way. Differences are NOT a negative thing. It makes things interesting. We honestly feel that the world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. Thanks for watching!!
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Driving & Traffic Differences
00:30 - Driving Difference #1
01:58 - Driving Difference #2
04:13 - Driving Difference #3
07:08 - Driving Difference #4
08:43 - Driving Difference #5
10:24 - Driving Difference #6
12:51 - Driving Difference #7
14:40 - Driving Difference #8
15:52 - Driving Difference #9
18:35 - Driving Difference #10
21:17 - What are the driving differences in your country?

[@DeanaandPhil]

What do you think about the driving differences between Germany and the USA? 😀

[@-amosc.presley-7192]

Well, I'm wandering do y'all drive on the left side just like them British people does? In America they only steer on their right side.

[@tuneskramer69]

@@-amosc.presley-7192 we drive on the American side. No worries

[@-amosc.presley-7192]

@@tuneskramer69 ,I appreciate you telling me that, my friend. No, worries_ Not, at all.///

[@RatkoSolaja]

Quick question, do u always pump the gas yourself in Germany? Here in Serbia for the most part someone does that for you while u go inside to pay.

[@snappic2867]

Ich mag das speedlimit in den Staaten. Da wirkte alles so gechillt. Okay im Death Valley hatte ich das Gefühl ich komme nicht Vorwärts. Aber im Großen und Ganzen fand ich es toll

[@armadspengler2717]

19:29 No worries. You will never have to pay for the person in front of you at a gas pump in Germany/Europe. As soon as the nozzle is reattached to the pump after refuelling, the pump will be locked and will not pump any more until price of the gas, shown on the display has been paid for. An unpaid, blocked petrol pump is not only indicated to the cashier by the system, but usually also to the customers directly at the petrol pump by a red light or something similar.

[@SamsonGuest]

Also: your car is standing in front of the pump making it inaccessible ...

[@Craftlngo]

the mythbusters tested the efficiency of roundabouts years ago. It turned out to be the most efficient solution for crossing streets

[@rolflin]

europe is full XDD the capital of basque country is so full patched of roundabouts that we make humour on this about people get to living there because they don't know how to get out of the city XDDD www.eitb.eus/es/videos/detalle/747205/vaya-semanita-las-rotondas-vitoria-gasteiz/

[@coasternut3091]

The problem in the US is that no one knows how to use them.

[@tr33c21]

Sadly mythbusters didnt test with semitrucks

[@reinhard8053]

The numbers are still growing with old crossing changed to roundabouts. Some decades ago there were nearly none. You could see them e.g. in France on vacation. But then they reached Germany. In the UK they even have them on 4lane overland roads. And they have the multilane roundabouts with traffic lights which are still rare here. We got such a roundabout with traffic lights even inside the roundabout. I was sceptical but it works really well.

[@MisterBroat]

I am an American who has been living in Germany for over 30 years now. I live close to a military base and see all the mistakes that the Americans make when driving. The top three problems are. 1. Intersection right of way. If there are two cars at a stop sign waiting on the other side to drive straight across and I want to turn left. The rule is I have to let those two cars cross first because anyone driving straight across an intersection has right of way (unless he waves you to go before him.) 2. Roundabouts: Americans always blink when entering a roundabout and then don't turn off blinker, then no one knows when that person is leaving, or They use no blinkers at all then the roundabout is still like a four-way stop and traffic backs up. The rule is "NEVER BLINK WHEN ENTERING ROUNDABOut and yield the right of way. Cars in the roundabout have the right of way and you can only turn right. Here it is not right before left, it is left before right. After you have entered a roundabout you blink as soon as you are next to the last exit that you don't want to exit, so everyone knows(including cars waiting at next exit) that you are exiting at the next exit. If you put on your blinker to soon or when entering cars may assume you are exiting the next exit and may pull out in front of you (CRASH!!) And number 3 which is the worst thing and can cause an accident in the 1st and 2nd above mistakes. BLINKERS!!! Not using them when you are supposed to, or waiting too late to use them like turning blinker on after braking and halfway into a turn or not using them at all........sorry this was so long ....Drive defensively and be safe.. ROB.

[@Stefan-qr8ip]

I can relate to the problem with hitting exactly the 10€ (or 20€ what so ever). But I have worked at a gas station for a while and we had a little bowl with 1 and 2 cents for the customers. So they payed only the 10€ and we added the 1 cent from the bowl. Many people also payed to much. If they bought stuff for 9,99€ or 9,98€ they just gave 10€ and said it's ok. That way we collected the 1 and 2 cent coins we put into the bowl. If the car before you didn't pay, the gaspump doesn't work. At the moment the "gas pump nozzle" (???) is hung up again, it can't be used anymore. Only after the gas is payed and the gascounter is back at 0.

[@Protector1981]

Aral Gas-Stations has a Button for this Problem. u Press 10,20 or something, and then the Pump automatically stops when u reach the Price. That should be a Standard!

[@felistrix7163]

Some full euro prices can't get pumped, because the prices for a litre are by tenth of a cent, the amount of gas by hundrets of a litre and the total amount to pay is rounded to full cents. An example when the gas costs 1.399 euros per litre and you want to get gas for 70 euros. 1.399 €/l * 50.03 l = 69.99197 € → rounded to 69.99 € The next possible step: 1.399 €/l * 50.04 l = 70.00596 € → rounded to 70.01 €

[@JangoAC]

Your videos have become a lot better, this is fun!

[@katherinepacey4163]

We are from Australia. Have driven in USA and Germany. Both on opposite side of road and car. Texas was the best for driving in USA. Love driving in Germany. Autobahn everyone gets out of fast lane very efficiently. Where we live on Gold Coast, everyone is dangerous, tail gating, in and out of lanes. Wish we had Autobahn

[@DeanaandPhil]

Interesting to hear that about australia! One of the places we would really love to go and visit ! :)

[@99fishgutt]

woohoo- the antipodes!

[@katherinepacey4163]

@@DeanaandPhil yes come visit Australia! It's a beautiful country. We are visiting Germany for the 3rd time this October, can't wait. Our favourite place in the world so far is southern Bavaria. We will be exploring new spots this year.

[@DennisfromMunich]

When I drove in Australia it was in smaller places at the Gold Coast and I drove all the way down from Darwin to Alice Springs as well. In Cairns driving was actually pretty relaxed. The long stretches were more "interesting" because of road trains barelling down and passing the RV we had rented. I find the Autobahn here in Germny a bit stressful at times because of the speed gaps. I like to go between 140 and 150 as my travelling speed. The left lane is faster than that, so you will often have tailgaters there too and the middle lane often gets hogged by slow people who never understood the concept of mandatory right lane driving.

[@stephbooth5213]

In Australia you have to drive for 100 hours as a learner before you take your test.

[@ericb8419]

That law on young people driving, might be the best law i have ever heard... Just imagine a 16 year old with a mustang with 700 horse power and no clue how to drive...

[@coasternut3091]

Pretty common if their parents have money

[@dominikhaug305]

On the other hand it is quite annoying when you're 16 in Germany, start an apprenticeship in a company and have to ask your parents to drive you there. So I'd have loved to get it earlier :)

[@airborneranger187]

First KZbinrs to talk about my city of Greenville SC. Love it!!

[@amlistener]

I have also driven manual cars for a long time. I thought automatic was for grandfathers. Now I drive an automatic car (mainly because manual was not available for the engine option I wanted) and I found out that automatic can also be a lot of fun - when you select the shifting paddles option on the order form.

[@barbarabajlicz9394]

OMG 😂😂😂😂😂 the gas station story happened to me too!!! Back from Chicago to Vienna after 25 years - the gas station attendant had no idea why I wanted to give him money ! His face was priceless! 😂😂😂😂😂 - Love you guys - your friend from Austria

[@FNFamily]

NotifySquad +L Full View. Keep it up!! 👍👍

[@MichelleJonesKralka]

Filling up in California is so different from the East coast. I rarely run into the ‘pay before you pump’ situation. I live in San Francisco and always pay at the pump by pre auth on my credit card. It’s really fun to learn more about SC via Deanna because I’m a Canadian living in California and find so many quirky differences even after living here for 7 years. I haven’t been to SC before. I lived in Germany during high school (many years ago). I remember it being such a cash-based society. I lived south of Stuttgart in a tiny town called Riederich and went to a gymnasium school in Metzingen.

[@SamsonGuest]

Very comprehensive summary of the differences. Something I enjoyed about traveling on the interstates in the US when I did my roadtrip was that all interstates are organized going either north-south or east-west (one is even number the other odd numbers don't remember which way) and the miles are continuously counted from the begin gen of the interstate untill the end. This I think is the same in germany. But in the USA the exit is not numberd in the order as they are coming up (as they are in germany) but by the mile of the interstate they are on (plus number of order if multiple exites are on the same mile). Which makes it much either to tell how much longer untill your exit comes up when navigating with a paper map and plan on when to be extra alert. I whish we had that in germany. Other than that I honstely prefer everything about driving in germany to driving in the states.

[@blazinbasey]

In Austria the traffic lights additionally blink green before they would turn yellow and then red, which I really like, because it tells you when to still rev up to get thru and don't have to stop abrubtly. *thumbsup*

[@CarlBrainerd]

In Germany there is an automatic speed limit (I forget the number) that applies when you are entering a small town and pass the sign with the name of the town on it, even though there is no sign about the speed limit. And just beyond that town name sign there is often an automatic speed camera, which I have never seen in the U.S. It is very easy to get a speeding ticket in Germany if you are not quick enough slowing down when entering a town. Also, in Germany I really like the distance markers before the exit/ausfahrt on the autobahn that tell you how many meters remain until the exit. This is really good in bad weather. Finally, in the U.S. we are used to having a "service road" alongside the freeway in the city (usually with many businesses), but in my experience such service roads are virtually non-existent in Germany, where the exit just dumps you onto the cross street.

[@andreamaronn4510]

When I learned to drive (back in the 80's), learner's permit at 15 1/2 years old, probationary license for the 1st year after passing driving test and written exam. Double points for tickets on your probationary license, same fines. Every state is a little different. For example, in WI it is legal to drive in any lane you want on the interstate (please be courteous and allow faster moving traffic to take the far left lane, but not illegal), however many states have "drive right" laws. The left lane is exclusively for passing and there are signs that literally say "DRIVE RIGHT". The 1st time I encountered one I thought the sign was reminding me to be cautious and drive safely until someone explained it to me. LOL!

[@mmiller7965]

I love you guys I'm learning so much. I'm from Canada so I know about the United States but learning abt Germany is great. I'm a senior now but my first love was a German guy.. and of course first loves you always carry with you in your heart forever. 💓

[@gregorykollarus8190]

Love ur vids

[@hi.panorama]

You have sth interesting to tell in every episode. It's really nice to hear you :)

[@SigridFrings]

Traffic Lights changes from red to red+yellow(both) to green, to yellow (only) and back to red. So you know, when it is only yellow the next is red, not green!

[@photograffael5214]

And when it's red + yellow you've got time to shift gears.

[@reinhard8053]

In Austria (and some other states) we have even more. It goes from green to 4x blinking green, yellow, red. So you know when to expect the yellow/red.

[@davesaunders7080]

In France some pumps are totally automated,just go to pump and insert credit card to activate. No attendants just pumps. Fill up, get receipt and go.

[@helenafranzen9828]

We have a lot of that in Sweden too.

[@Pch100]

Enjoying your channel

[@HarveyTalksPrison]

in Missouri the light go from green-yellow -red. But when red they go to green, no yellow in between

[@gerdpapenburg7050]

I (German) have worked for the U.S. Army in Germany from 1979 to 1994. I have driven both, stick-shift and automatic cars. I have hated the automatic cars in wintertime because they were not able to be handled properly on icy and snowy streets. By that time we did not had any anti-lock braking system or traction control system and stick-shift cars were preferred because they could be handled more easily.

[@jeromemckenna7102]

I love hatchbacks, and I am surprised it died out in the US. I had one in the 1980's and 1990's. You could put a lot of stuff in one. As far as brands go both Renault and Peugeot used to be sold in the US and the Citroen too.

[@caulkins69]

I've always associated the hatchback design with shitty econoboxes. I find it strange that there is such a thing as a "hot hatch."

[@oliweber8222]

A hell of a morning: I was on a business trip to Dallas, TX, and had to drive to the office each morning. Was driving on a street with two lanes in each direction, with heavy traffic. There was one intersection with traffic lights. So you stopped, waited for green and go.... One morning, the traffic lights were out of order, so "4way stop rules" applied. So basically 8 lanes came together, each with very long queues...I was so happy to get through there without wrecking my car...

[@BWDavisV]

I'm here in Atlanta, GA but have also visited and driven in Germany. Our laws are the same as far as yielding to drivers on the right at four way stops but it's become common in the last 15 to 20 years for the first to stop but it definitely slows traffic down even more. It's also illegal to pass or overtake on the right but there's so many who cruise in the left passing lanes it's often times necessary to pass on the right, especially here in Atlanta on Interstate 285. Also the pre-paying for gas inside the gas stations wasn't normal when I turned 16 in the mid-90s but became a thing in the early 2000s when gas prices started increasing. I speak from experience as I used to work at QuikTrip gas station in highschool. If there were good cameras to record license plates we probably wouldn't need to prepay inside when using cash. I will say I love how quickly the traffic signals change from red to yellow to green in Germany. When I returned to the US after my first time driving in Germany I got frustrated with how long it takes for our lights to cycle and counted that it takes about 4 seconds for each color change and a bit longer to turn green to try and ensure the intersections are clear from people running the lights.

[@freedomdove]

Times have definitely changed. It used to be cash-based at the pump in the US. We also had the problem with getting the exact amount in and would also go over one or two cents. Lol. If you knew you could only hold $10 worth or that's all you had, it was easier to take it into the clerk who would then program the pump to stop automatically. But yeah, nowadays it's all prepaid, even if you have cash. It's because so many gas stations were getting robbed, and security cameras weren't as prevalent as they are now. I like that you just get "authorized" at the pump with your card. You can start the pump and it will stop when your tank is full, so you don't have to know the exact amount of gas you need.

[@jaycee330]

11:00 As noted, this varies by state in the US. In the state I live in, you can begin the process at 16 by getting your temporary, which allows supervised driving with a licenced passenger (and also other driving restrictions, like maximum passengers and hours you can drive). Once you complete your driving courses (either in your high school if offered, or at a licensed private training school) you can take your test. If you get your license before you are 18, you will be subject to restrictions for a period of time (max passengers, driving during certain hours or road conditions).

[@Utubemop]

Somehow I feel you missed to mention the 'Pay at the pump' system appropriately which is actually very attractive and I wish it would be in place here in Germany much more (pretty common in the US).

[@onanthebarbarian9883]

The "red>yellow to green" thing for traffic lights are to clue those with manual shift cars to get ready on the clutch.

[@stevenroach6809]

We're starting to see a few roundabouts in Columbus, Georgia, but I can't say that they have totally caught on. Personally, I'd like to see more of them. On one of our streets leading out to Ft. Benning, they put one right in the middle to discourage people from using the street for drag racing.

[@kymmie0025]

I got my license in the 90s in the U.S. We pumped the gas 1st and then paid. It has only changed in the last 15 or so years that you pay 1st. Some places you still can pump 1st.

[@KampfhahnO_O]

6:53 Seeed's cars would have lots of bling bling.

[@teritrombly2706]

Thanks heading there for a month to visit

[@emilyyy_0327]

So awesome to hear about South Carolina on bigger channels ❤️

[@lazypeon3567]

By 20:35 Yes..... I`ve the same problem too. Genau dieses problem habe ich auch.

[@carolshannon6449]

hatchbacks were super popular in the US during the late 70s and through the 80s until the advent of the SUV. But even now we still drive them. I have aPrius C, it's a hatchback.

[@JDobbs726]

I live in the US. Was born and raised in New Jersey and currently live in Utah the crosswalks here in Utah are very different than in Jersey. Here in Utah the crosswalks go across the main road not the side road and there are cameras and they have caught people not slowing down and hitting pedestrians.

[@Stefan-qr8ip]

Daher kommt der Begriff "ZEBRAstreifen": In einer aufwendigen in den 1950er Jahren vom Hamburger Abendblatt begleiteten Aktion sollten Autofahrer, die sich an den Fussgängerübergängen besonders rücksichtsvoll verhielten, mit einem «Gutpunkt» ausgezeichnet werden. Hierbei handelte es sich um einen Sticker mit einem Zebra darauf, den sich der ausgezeichnete Autofahrer auf die Autoscheibe kleben konnte. Das Zebra auf dem Sticker der Aktion gründete auf folgender Abkürzung: Zeichen Eines Besonders Rücksichtsvollen Autofahrers - ZEBRA Vorher hieß es "Dickstrichketten" 🤣

[@MickeyKnox]

Dickstrichketten ... geil ... würde mich nicht wundern, wenn es im Beamtendeutsch noch IMMER so heißt :-D

[@swanpride]

Hat mich interessiert, also habe ich es nachgeschlagen...und die Antwort ist: Nein, der Begriff ist auch im Beamtendeutsch inzwischen veraltet. Der offizielle Begriff ist "Fußgängerübergang" oder "Fußgängerüberweg", kurz FGÜ.

[@MickeyKnox]

@@swanpride Danke :-D Das war aber auch eher als Scherz gemeint von mir :-)

[@swanpride]

Ich weiß...aber warum nicht teilen, was ich rausgefunden habe.

[@MickeyKnox]

@@swanpride Das stimmt allerdings :-)

[@GaryandErica]

The only accident I've seen in Germany was because a driver, for some reason, assumed that a bike wasn't going to follow the traffic lights. There was a bicyclist approaching an intersection. The cyclist had a red light, the driver had a green light. The driver braked in the middle of the intersection (I think they thought the cyclist wasn't going to stop?), and the driver behind them kept going. Because of course, this is Germany, and of COURSE the cyclist is going to follow the red light. I love driving in Germany - once you get the rules, the drivers in Germany generally follow them! (Like the passing rules - it's generally the law in the US to stay right unless you're passing, but in practice, that rarely happens) (But I HATE parking in Germany - all the spaces are so small, it makes me so paranoid, constantly - especially driving rental cars!)

[@andrashelembai3185]

That biker probably wasn't paying attention. If he would have, he for sure would have went right through the red light. They almost always blew the lights. Its extremely annoying... 😂😂😂

[@calliet7893]

I love driving manual but have an automatic now. It's getting harder to find a manual if buying used car; and glad I could drive stick since rental cars in Europe are 3x the cost for automatic. I thought they were trying to rip me off since I had reserved online for a rental car and when I arrived, they just assumed since I was from USA, I would want an automatic. AND driving on the autobahn was a blast. Some of the USA highways such as I-95 goes to 70 mph.

[@thekidsadventures6299]

i love your channel

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

The funny thing about Traffic Lights being too close in germany is... no body halts at traffic lights in the correct distance but goes as far forward as possible to the stop line. Correct would be to stop when the hold line is crossing the lower edge of your forward visibility. Meaning 3-5m back instead with the front edge of your car on the stop line.

[@jaycee330]

20:20 Which is why pay at the pump is wonderful. If you pay by card inside, even if you don't get the full amount, the unused portion will be credited back to your card immediately.

[@deboraham3]

Growing up in the 70's...it was common to A) pull up and an attendant pumped your gas or B) pump and then pay in USA but than thievery of gas started and it reversed to pay and then pump.

[@DanGerRus]

Phil - the new trick (at least in my part of Germany) is people steal license plates off cars, put them on their cars, then go get gas and drive off. I learned this after the license plates got stolen off my car and I had to make a report with the police. They told me this. This also happened to an acquaintance of mine as well. 🙄 I agree with all the points you both made. Really great video!! You two are so cute together!! 🤗

[@DeanaandPhil]

That's crazy. Never heard about that yet. Seems like a lot of effort and trouble just to get some free gas ;)

[@DanGerRus]

@@DeanaandPhil Yes, I also thought it was a lot of trouble for free gas, but the police told me it's mostly Jugendliche that are doing it. They do it more for the kick of stealing something, and the free gas is just a bonus. Their "fun" certainly caused me a lot of trouble. ☹

[@Cadfael007]

I am German but drove and rode (motorbike) thousands of kilometers in the UK. The roundabouts are so great. Also the pedestrian crossings! Your lights (as a car driver) turn red, but then the yellow light flashes, meaning: Beware and don't hinder a pedestrian. But if the pedestrian already crossed, you can drive (slowly),.

[@svrt5832]

Roundabouts are known to be incredibly safe as compared to regular crossings as everyone has to stops and even if an accident happens, no car is struck from the fron side, thus many injuries and fatalities are saved

[@jackgabone50]

Down in Southern and Eastern Africa, we drive on the left side of the road, as in the UK, Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan. Specifically, in our neck of the woods, we keep left and overtake on the RIGHT. You can overtake on the left if the driver in front of you has signalled that she/he is turning right and you are proceeding straight on. By the way, in E Africa, a roundabout is colloquially known as a "keep left".

[@alistamp1020]

It used to be like that but there were alot of drive offs. Small gas stations, in small towns, didnt have cameras like 15 years ago.

[@0Chefkoch0]

In Austria we also have a green blinking light (traffic light) which indicates the traffic lights are about to change to orange and then red! So you always know, whether or not it is better to stop or pass the traffic light!

[@davenwin1973]

That would annoy me. We don't have that yet. In the US, some states are switching to turn on flashing yellow light, where instead of keeping the left turn lane red part of the time, now we are getting this flashing yellow arrow light, where you're allowed to turn left, if oncoming traffic is clear. What I find bad about this, is if traffic going straight or right get a red light, but the left turn lane still has the flashing yellow light, I found that in the oncoming lanes, the left turn lane gets a green arrow, and oncoming traffic still have a green light. Because of this confusion, I almost got into a wreck, because I didn't know the oncoming traffic still had a green light. It's worse than the pyramid lights that were common 20 to 36 years ago, where green and yellow each had an arrow on the left side (if it's for left turn) and solid for straight and right turns, and a solid red on top. This type of light can also be configured for solid green and yellow on the left, and green and yellow right turn arrows on the right side of the pyramid light, and solid red on top. With this light, it was understanding. If the lights were red with a green arrow only, left turn lane can turn left while those going straight had to wait. Once it goes to just a solid green, both the left turn lane, and those going straight can go. But those turning left on a solid green light on a pyramid light, must yield to oncoming traffic. Once it shows red only, that side must stop. This works in reverse, if it's configured for a right turn. If both green arrow and solid green are lit up at once, only that side gets to go, while oncoming traffic must wait for the solid green light.

[@evilmike74]

roundabouds only work in some scenarios where traffic is somewhat equally coming from all directions and also need more space

[@andreamaronn4510]

Last time I drove thru Montana there was no speed limit on the interstates during daylight, 80mph at night or in bad weather.

[@Lieschen_Mueller]

I love the „turning right on red“ rule in America. Also having the traffic lights on the opposite side of the street is really useful when turning left.

[@davenwin1973]

There's a rare turn on left rule too. This rule only applies if you're on a one way street, and at the stop light, the next street is also a one way, going to your left. You must be in the far left lane in order to turn left on red. Otherwise you can not turn on left, if the next road is a 2 way. This is in the US, and legal in most of Indiana.

[@Anson_AKB]

even if a german minor got a license in the usa while he was younger than 18, he may NOT drive with it in germany (and neither are foreigners allowed to drive while under 18). he probably can exchange the us license for a german license when he turns 18, but has to follow some requirements which depend on the state he got the license from (for some nothing special is required, for some only the written or practical test, for some both, and for some even half a regular course with some mandatory lessons). exchanging the license is also only possible during a short timespan of a few months and thus no longer possible two years later if he got the us license with 16.

[@pascal9280]

If you have to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks depends from state to state. Here in PA where I am staying for a year it is a state law to stop for pedestrians.

[@paulj9801]

best selling vehicles in the us are hatchbacks. SUVs are mostly hatchbacks .most new stoplights have countdown for when the light is changing but it is for the pedestrians to know when it changes but also lets drivers know as well

[@Steppenkater]

I always preferred manual shifting because if you prepare for overtaking (it's a habit in Germany) there is no delay instead of automatic shifting where the car gets "surprised" and needs 1-2 seconds to prepare for the new demand. Now I drive an electric car which is magnitude better regarding reaction time (well it's the brand with the T, so you get pretty the best what an electric car can deliver). What I mean is, you get instant torque when ever you need it. Yes, it's the future. Nevertheless I had fun with my older cars and manual shifting.

[@JDobbs726]

The area I live in Utah is getting more and more roundabouts over the years they seem to keep the traffic flowing better. There's a bunch of four-way stops as well I forget the rule on the four ways they are a pain though.

[@shellastew]

I worked in a small town Missouri gas station up until 2005 and you could pump and then pay. We had a system set up that would block someone else from pumping until we cleared that pump. There were only a handful of times during the 12 years that my family owned it where people stole the gas. And my Grampa preferred people having to come in to pay because it meant they'd be tempted to buy something more, like a pop or candy bar. As a general rule, stations make little to no profit off gas. Or at least that was the case 15 years ago.

[@Armygirlsdad]

The red-to-yellow-to-green light system used to be very common in the US several decades ago, but they took that system out because too many people would just start driving on the yellow, causing accidents with the drivers that were going from green to yellow. Impatience with the stopped traffic, wanting to get going as soon as possible and not waiting for the actual green light.

[@krismiller5126]

I’m from ND and it’s for farm kids to help move farm equipment from field to field or back to the farm. The parents work with the kids to get to be able to drive. Farm equipment doesn’t go very fast too.

[@jaycee330]

7:53 Yes, exactly. It is much better to have a set of lights across the road (in addition to a pole mounted one). Also, the USA did have red-yellow and green phase traffic lights, but they were phased out in the mid 1950s or so. I've NEVER seen them in the US in my driving life, though my parents did back in the day.

[@simonspeechley2859]

We have Zebra crossings (black/white markings) and Pelican crossings (button press to cross).

[@stevenroach6809]

At stoplights, I can usually see the pedestrian light which counts down as it is about to turn red and that lets me know that my light is about to turn green.

[@brambleberry7814]

I'm an American with a hatchback. My sister too! We love them. Never realized they are popular in Europe.

[@DeanaandPhil]

The most! :)

[@pjschmid2251]

Hatchbacks were more popular in the US in the 70s into the early 80s. Now they seem almost old fashioned (as do station wagons BTW). The minivan took off in the 80s and led to the popularity of SUVs. I think the trend toward bigger cars in the US is a combination of more space on the roads (roads in towns in Europe are very narrow and cramped for larger cars), lower fuel prices, a the car culture here (big country and less public transportation)

[@saltyc]

Same here, I think this might be a regional thing. I've owned several hatchbacks. From VW's to Subarus.

[@nabilmorkos6289]

I just come back from LA a few days ago. Probably one of the worst traffics in the US. Sometimes for a 50 miles drive you have to plan up to 4 hours in advance to get to your final destination on time.

[@DeanaandPhil]

Sounds like a lot of fun ;)

[@mmiller7965]

I love driving a manual learned how to drive one when I was 13 years old.

[@eastfrisianguy]

From 22pm-6am our gas station here in the village is closed, but you can still fill up via a terminal. You first enter your credit card or Maestro card into the terminal, enter the number of the petrol pump and then you can fill up to 80 euros. Afterwards, you can put your card back into the terminal again, if a receipt is needed. At the beginning I was extremely confused, each booking is actually displayed in real time in my banking app but exactly here, the booking isn't made until two days later and at first I thought the whole time "Oh my god, did I steal gas now?" In the Netherlands there are also smaller petrol stations in the rural areas that work on the American principle. Put your card in, choose the amount, fill up, that's it. But as a German this felt very wrong :D The "Grünpfeilschild" was taken over from the GDR and it is not obligatory to pay attention to it here. There are also two places with this sign in the next bigger city and I find it very practical.

[@Jlopil]

Liebe Grüße aus Köln ihr beide seid der Wahnsinn, habe mir fast alle Videos von euch innerhalb einer Woche gegeben. XD Wie habt ihr euch eigtl. kennen gelernt.... Hey greetings from cologne I love your content I belive I have seen every video from you in less than a week. I want to know how do you meet you.

[@danewood2309]

in the UK the traffic light sequence is Red, 'Red &Yellow', Green....Green, Yellow, Red. 'Red &Yellow' is 'prepare to move off'

[@PhotogNT]

In Australia there is no such thing as an uncontrolled intersection, on all intersections one the roads will be through traffic the crossing road (usually the more minor road) will have either a stop or give way sign. Licenses after passing your written exam followed by a period of supervised practical driving during which you have display large red L plates learner plates for a stipulated period often for a variety periods depending on the state. Then a driving test conducted by the state licensing department you then have to complete two periods of probation red P that has very restrictive conditions then followed by one or two years on a green probation will somewhat less restrictive conditions. The probation periods the car must display red or green P plates on the front and rear of the car to show police and other drivers that restricted conditions apply to that car. Roundabouts are everywhere speeding up traffic a lot. In Australia it’s call a zebra crossing. Pedestrian crossing lights are mostly button activated by the pedestrian.

[@ESUSAMEX]

By law drivers' must stop for anyone in the crosswalk in NY, and everywhere else I have been. And I have been to almost every state. That rule is everywhere but not always obeyed. The fines are huge in NY as well. Every traffic light I have seen goes from red to green without any yellow.

[@ContinuumGaming]

Many gas stations nowadays have those buttons on the pump now where you can specify how much you want to pump to avoid the "2 cents over the limit" problem... but yes, it can be a struggle ;). But it is a good way to get small coins off your pocket too ;).

[@johnp139]

Continuum Gaming why use cash?

[@ContinuumGaming]

@@johnp139 The same answer as everywhere else too: To have control over the amount your spend and be aware for what and why you are spending it. You will automatically spend more money if you are using some abstract thing like a credit card because "it is just numbers on a pieve of paper"... even more so if you are using credit cards not debit cards. (in Germany it is very unlikely that somebody uses a credit card... most of them are debit cards) Just make a test: Let's say you want to spend 100 dollars at a shopping tour. Put 100 dollars into your pocket and do not take a credit card with you. You are going to spend at most 100 dollars no matter what. Now do the same with a credit card.

[@Brainreaver79]

i for my part prefer manual over automatic.. not because its more efficient or something but because it keeps you more focused while driving,... at least thats how it works for me

[@jaycee330]

12:30 When I was getting my license it was comparatively cheaper, but more hours for practical (40 hours practical/12 hours theoretical).

[@sharone8261]

In Portland Oregon You Must Stop for a pedestrian in cross walks and also at Any intersection.

[@davenwin1973]

I'm in Indiana, and I never learned to drive manual. Driving schools in my area never taught people to drive manuals in 1998, when I learned to drive. I got my driver's license late in life at 25, though my grandma got hers at 38 in 1962. Family members who know how to drive manual refused to teach me. Highway speeds vary, but most interstates are 70mph (112.7kmph), with a few at 55mph (88.5kmph). A few interstates in Michigan from my understanding have gone up to 80mph (128.7kmph). Traffic lights don't change from red, to yellow, to green at all in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, where I traveled. From red, it goes directly to green. Some Intersections that have set turn lanes may have a separate light that only allows you to turn on a green arrow only, or yield to a solid green, or a newer type that's popping up in NW Indiana, and saw this in Waukesha County Wisconsin, and that's a separate turning lane light that has a flashing yellow arrow, which means yield on flashing yellow. I prefer if there's yield on a green light in the left, or right turning lane, is that it's a pyramid light. If it's configured for a left turn, there's green and yellow arrow on.the left, and solid green and yellow on the right, and solid red on top of the pyramid. Green arrow with solid red allows just left turn only (if for right turn, then the arrows are on the right side of the pyramid and solid on the left), while going straight must stop. If both the green arrow and solid green are lit up at the same time, the entire side you're on can go, while onto traffic must wait. When the yellow arrow, followed by a solid green lights up, the left turn lane must yield to oncoming traffic. Same with just a side green, that left turn must yield to oncoming traffic. The only time you see the pyramid light having green and yellow arrow lights on the right side, is usually where you might not be able to turn on red, and the right green arrow with a red light, allows for turning on a right green arrow. This type of traffic light is slowly being replaced with a separate left turn light only again, but it has green arrow that's steady, but rarely lights up, yellow arrow with a steady light, warning you that the light is about to turn red, flashing yellow arrow to indicate that you yield to oncoming traffic. Then you have red, but ironically, it's a red arrow, but you stop. I personally hate this type, because when the side I'm on goes red, but the left turn lane has a flash arrow, oncoming traffic is still green, but the left turn lane gets a green arrow. Because of this confusion, I almost got into a wreck, because I thought only the turning lanes got to turn, and both sides going straight stopped. I'd rather have either the turning lanes only going, or just make one side go, until both sides turn red. As for roundabouts (some people use the word, traffic circle, but technically it's defined differently, as traffic circles are the earlier versions of the roundabout, where they're controlled by traffic lights. A traffic circle was poorly designed, as it could theoretically allow people to go the wrong way. The way most roundabouts are created, only allow you to go counter-clockwise, and don't use traffic lights at all. But not all roundabouts are built properly, as some are too small, that traffic is still not moving fast enough. I forgot where at in St John Indiana, where a roundabout was built way too small, that a school bus literally got stuck in the roundabout. The roundabout had to be torn up, and rebuilt larger. I only counted 3 in St John, and 7 in Valparaiso, with 2 of them at State Road 49 and Vale Park Road, where at the ramps, that it's called a dog bone interchange. That's because roundabouts are created on each side of the highway. Crown Point Indiana is getting a dog bone interchange at East 109th Avenue at I-65. Then there's 2 more east of the dog bone interchange. Carmel Indiana has the most roundabouts in the US at 148 last count. For cars, I've only owned 4 door sedans, but was given a station wagon briefly as my first car. My first car with my own money in 2000 was a 1989 Ford Tempo. I had that for 2 years. Then I got a 1992 Pontiac Bonneville SSE, which was a mid-level Bonneville. That car had the option of the turbo 3800 V6, but it had the regular 3800 V6. I had the optional dual airbags, which was rare for a GM car made before 1994. The SE was the base model, and didn't get dual airbags until 1994. Dual airbags were standard on the 1992 and 1993 SSEI models, with the turbo 3800 V6 standard as well. The base had a standard antenna, while the SSE had the choice of standard, or Retractable antenna, and Retractable antenna was standard on the SSEI. My car did not have leather seats, but was an option. I had the heads up display, which displayed the speed in digital form, on the windshield. I liked that. That quit working, and was using my mom's 1989 Buick Century, which was classified as a midsize car, but looked compact. After that car quit working, and the frame was going bad, I drove my mom's 1993 Older Cutlass Ciera, which was similar to the Buick Century. I later bought a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 4 door, and it got me around. Despite being underpowered, I did like the car. I was forced to junk it, after the engine went out. It only had 107,000 miles on it, and couldn't afford to get another engine for it. I was driving my mom's Cutlass Ciera again. My Aunt Nancy gave me her 1997 Buick LeSabre, and hated that car. For a 3800 V6, it was underpowered, and I thought the car was ugly. I'm currently with a 2008 Chevy Impala, and hate this car too. Part of it is in my eyes, this is a gas guzzler, because unlike the Bonneville and the LeSabre, which had larger gas tanks, this one has a big V6, but a smaller gas tank. It's only a 13 gallon (about 53L) tank, while my last 2 cars had 18 gallon (around 68L) tanks. All cars I've owned, except for the Tempo were automatic only. The Tempo I had was automatic, but manual was standard.

[@Rome1sixteen]

Definitely struggled with the no stop sign intersections, priority roads, and not signaling INTO the roundabout. That turning motion just triggers the instinct to put it on. I don’t do it too much anymore but sometimes I’ll do it but always end up catching it and turning it off right away.

[@Himmelgrau68]

Pumping then paying like in Germany used to be the norm in the US as well, but it changed in the 1980s. This came at about the same time that "pay-at-the-pump" services became popular. This "service" does not exist in Germany, because merchants do not make much profit on fuel, but they do on selling other merchandise in their stores. By not offering the pay-at-the-pump "service" customers are enticed to enter the store to make additional purchases.

[@leighmccormack6330]

I agree with you about the stick shift.

[@colinharris7287]

i did uk to Canada and the red light turn was wonderful apart from they drive on the wrong side of the road caught me out a couple of times but soon got used to it

[@MartyBecker]

In 40+ years of driving in the US, I have only owned one automatic car (for two years). Feels really weird when I have to drive an automatic rental. Getting harder and harder to find moderately equipped manuals. Own two VW Jetta SEs today.

[@MisterBroat]

living in Germany married to a German. I always said our next car is automatic but never got one because the wife said she is scared to drive an automatic and doesn't want one....which by the way makes no difference to me.

[@MartyBecker]

MisterBrot(Broat) I to am married to German. My wife hates automatics, which is fine with me. One of the few thing we agree on. 😀

[@patwheeler4940]

On the subject of gas here in ireland in the newer filling stations u can pay with card at the pump or choose to pay in shop ok if u want to go to the loo get a bite to eat etc etc.

[@Marcel_30187]

Zum Thema tanken: es gibt in Deutschland auch Tankstellen wo man an der Zapfsäule eingeben kann für wieviel Euro man tanken möchte, TOTAL-Tankstellen zum Beispiel. Zur Auswahl stehen 50€, 20€ und 10€, welche auch miteinander kombiniert werden können.

[@carladams9345]

I am 35 and live in West VIrginia, when I was growing up you could pump gas before paying in most places here. Now its all pre-pay.

[@Alyssa__01]

In Canada you also must stop for pedestrians. I’m British Columbia, Canada, driving age is 16 for your learners, must take a written test (you have this for a year and can only drive if you have someone above 25 with a full license). After that you take a road test for your New (you have this for two years and can only drive with one person in your car, unless they are a relative or over 25 with a full license). Then you take another road test for your full. So the earliest you can have a full license is 19, which is also the legal drinking age here

[@docmanni]

No, the counter on a stop-light is not necessarily a good thing... In China they use it almost everywhere, but the most sensible implementation is probably working in Shanghai. In Nanjing (where I have lived), the red and green phases are counted through all the way. You have no flexibility for designing green waves during peak hours to reduce traffic stress. In Shanghai, they only count the last 10 seconds of each red or green phase. That is good. However, both implementations lead to people behaving completely crazy at the end of a green period. You won't believe how they can suddenly accelerate, not caring about any other people on the road just to get past the lights...

[@lisao7600]

I'm in the US, when I was young we pumped gas before we paid. They just changed it over the last 20 years in my area. Even now, some places will still let you pump first then pay.

[@kymmie0025]

Same here

[@JLC48]

In Oregon we pay after, but then we do not pump our own gas either.

[@craighodgson7850]

4 way stops are first to stop sign or the person on your right

[@seoulrain2795]

In Italy you have to pay in advance if you pump the gas yourself (self service)... you put the money in the machine and then select the number of the pump you are using... if you use your card, you put the card, the pin and then go pump gas, but it only stops to pump when you stop it, so you have to be careful... You can also pay afterwards if there is somebody else pumping the gas for you... you say how much you want and they stop, and then you go pay You can do that also by yourself, so you pump how much you want the pump blocks, you go pay and then it unlocks for the next person. Even if you go away without paying, there are cameras and they will find you

[@panteaflorin]

Phil about what you said with fill with 10 euros and you get 10,01,well in my country(Italy) you have buttons with 5,10,20 euro on the pump.Exemple you want 15? just push one time 10+one time 5 and that it ,the pump will fill just liters for 15 euros^^.

[@seanthiar]

The lights do not change from red to yellow to green. The traffic lights change from green to yellow to red and from red to red/yellow to green. That way when you see the yellow light you will know if the next one is green or red.

[@schmuckstuckwelt_joyoflife2658]

So funny! Ich treffe fast nie den genauen Betrag 😂

[@wandelndeslexikon1614]

I would like to see Deanna reacting to a Smart :D

[@chrischolewa9104]

Years ago saw my first Smart in Canada-thats one small auto !

[@paranoid9678]

i would like to see a american reaction when they get pasted at 100mph bx a Smart

[@camellia4146]

in most places (not sure if everywhere in US but where I've been at least) you are required by law to stop at the crosswalks UNLESS there is a light specifically for the crosswalk. so if you have to press a button to cross, the cars dont have to stop until their light is red. this is mainly common for big cities and such rather than small towns where there may be a few but theres mainly just crosswalks where you do have to stop, but then again most americans dont care and just go unless there's a person literally in the crosswalk lol

[@kendraoconnell4857]

I feel like you nailed it: traffic lights and passing laws and cross-walks are respected much more in Germany. I laughed aloud when you described pumping gas to the penny. I miss watching the traffic lights go orange before green and I get so bugged when people pass on the right here. I am a dual citizen and lived in US and Germany growing up, but learned to drive in Germany. Two things I would also add are parallel parking and traffic cameras. I would never run a red light in Germany because you could get a picture in the mail. Here sometimes 3 people go through. And parallel parking was very common where I lived in Heidelberg. But here, in Texas, it's far less common. (And sometimes comical to watch people try 4 times. I want to get out and park for them. ) Great video and channel.

[@stevenroach6809]

When my dad (US soldier) was stationed in Mannheim, Germany quite a few American kids who were in high school were able to get a driver's license at the age of 16 through agreements between US and German governments.