All guides
Driving in the rain: braking distance, gap, aquaplaning
1 min read · Updated on October 17, 2026
In the wet, braking distance gets longer and visibility worse. If you know this, you can adapt.
Vereinfachte Erklärung zum Lernen – keine Rechtsberatung. Verbindlich ist die Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (StVO).
What changes in the rain
Pay attention to this:
- Longer braking distance – keep more distance
- Slower in bends
- Switch on your lights so others can see you
- Avoid puddles – otherwise you risk aquaplaning
Aquaplaning
If the car is floating on a film of water, don’t brake or steer hard: take your foot off the accelerator, press the clutch (in a manual) and keep the steering wheel straight until the tyres grip again.
Keep going
More guides
- Right before left – simply explainedWhen the right-before-left rule applies, when it doesn’t – and how to use it safely at junctions.
- Driving roundabouts correctly: indicating, priority, exitingWho has priority in a roundabout, when do you indicate and how do you exit safely?
- Right of way in Germany – all rules at a glanceFrom traffic lights to signs to right before left: the order in which right-of-way rules apply.