What you used to have to read on signs on the side of the road is now all digital. Apps do everything for you on the drive, be it finding the nearest toilet or the fastest route. We’ll show you here which apps are the best for drivers.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Car apps: the best apps for on the go
Here We Go, Google Maps and more: Navis
Blitzer.de
Fine calculator 2021
Tank apps: when the fuel is running low
Park Now and One Touch Parking
Toilet scout
ADAC breakdown assistance and MySchleppApp
2 AutoScout24 and mobile.de
3 Share Now and Co .: Rent a car
4th Learn to drive
5 Smartphone at the wheel: That is the legal situation
You are on your way to vacation, to work or just going on a trip. Annoying: The next traffic jam is already announced. Instead of standing for hours, you may take a detour via the country road – and of course you will be flashed. At the same time it flashes on the dashboard, which makes it clear to you: you should refuel . But where can you find the nearest petrol station here?
Not a pleasant situation for drivers. But instead of driving blindly, nowadays you can plan your car journey with apps or keep track of the situation. Useful applications for Android devices and iPhones for navigation , refueling, first aid and Co. can be found here in the overview.
CAR APPS: THE BEST APPS FOR ON THE GO
Here We Go, Google Maps and more: Navis
The navigation system is just as much a part of the car’s equipment as the steering wheel. Regardless of whether forgetful drivers are behind the wheel or geniuses venture into unknown territory – everyone needs a sat nav at some point. If the navigation
system is not already integrated in the car itself – for example via Android Auto or Apple Carplay – there are alternative navigation apps for smartphones like a dime a dozen . For Android smartphones, Google Maps is an obvious solution, as Google’s own service is preinstalled on every Android device. In the case of iPhones, it is the equivalent Apple cards . We have summarized in this article which navigation apps are best for you.
The fact is, however, with every navigation system: the routes can easily be calculated before the journey and intermediate stops can be inserted. The whole thing usually goes beyond the car journey to train connections, bicycle and pedestrian routes. You will also be fed real-time information, such as the traffic situation, construction sites or accidents.
Blitzer.de
Many
navigation apps have now integrated a speed trap warning. If you still want to be on the safe side while driving, you can download your own speed camera apps onto your smartphone.
Attention: In Germany it is forbidden according to §23, Paragraph 1 of the Road Traffic Act to allow the driver to be warned of speed cameras live via their smartphone. The passenger, on the other hand, can use speed camera apps while driving and keep the driver up to date. The reason: The driver is distracted by the app and could endanger road traffic by braking hard.
This includes, for example, the Blitzer.de app, which warns of mobile and fixed speed controls in real time when driving. Behind the app is a community that reports speed cameras and controls via the app.
Fine calculator 2021
If you are caught actively using a speed trap app or your mobile phone while driving, you will be fined a hefty fine. If you want to stay up to date with the catalog of fines, you can install the “Fines calculator 2021” on your mobile phone.
Tank apps: when the fuel is running low
When it comes to refueling, you can save a few euros by looking for the right gas station. We have summarized everything about refueling in a separate article:
Apps specially tailored to e-cars also show you where you can charge your car near you. A problem if your vehicle is purely electric and cannot fall back on a classic combustion engine in an emergency. This can be remedied by apps like PlugShare or NextPlug , which show you public charging stations in your area.
Park Now and One Touch Parking
Parking is often a major problem in metropolitan areas. The search for a free space can take a long time and pull your nerves. For a long time there have been app models such as One Touch Parking for Android, which are intended to help you find the parked car again. In addition to providing information about where a free parking space is available, many apps also have an alarm function. They will let you know when your parking ticket has expired.
The “Park Now” app offers an alternative. This application advertises above all with convenient cashless payment – whether on the roadside or in a parking garage. For “Park Now” you have to create an account so that you can get details about free parking spaces and possible parking costs. The app works not only in Germany, but also in Austria and Switzerland .
Toilet scout
Who does not know it: Especially on long stretches, the bladder will eventually squeeze and then, of course, there will be no rest areas in sight. The problem is now the “Toilet Scout” app to the collar, because according to the description, it shows toilets at 1.8 million locations. These are public toilets as well as the toilets of restaurants, petrol stations and other facilities.
ADAC breakdown assistance and MySchleppApp
What happens if your car breaks down and you get stuck in the middle of the road? You can contact breakdown services on site or the ADAC. The corresponding app “ADAC breakdown assistance” determines your location using a location function so that the car club can find you directly. The waiting time is also displayed in the app. ADAC breakdown assistance is not only available to members – but it is free for members.
Alternatively, you can also use the “MySchleppApp” ( Android / iOS ) community. Many different towing services are registered here. If you send an “emergency call” via the app, it will be sent to all companies known in the area. The first to respond will come to you.
AUTOSCOUT24 AND MOBILE.DE
Searching for and buying a new car can now also be done via the app. Numerous portals offer used models online; some of these providers also rely on a supplementary mobile app.
SHARE NOW AND CO .: RENT A CAR
A popular model has been established in large cities for a number of years: CarSharing. You can get a car (almost) whenever you need it – no matter where you are. The best-
known providers include Share Now (formerly DriveNow and Car2Go) and ” Flinkster ” from Deutsche Bahn. We have summarized a detailed overview and comparison of CarSharing providers in a separate article.
But instead of driving yourself, car sharing is also becoming increasingly popular. However, it must be agreed in advance with the respective driver. There are also individually agreed costs for the ride. A popular provider here is, for example, Blablacar.
LEARN TO DRIVE
In addition to those who have long been able to drive, there are also learner drivers. There are many apps in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store that support learning time at home. The “Learn to Drive” app is intended to support regular theory and driving lessons in the driving school as online training.
Particularly important in road traffic: the forest of signs at the roadside. Anyone who needs a refresher or cannot remember the many signs and their meanings can help with the “Signs” app.
SMARTPHONE AT THE WHEEL: THAT IS THE LEGAL SITUATION
In Germany, using a smartphone while driving is prohibited. Strictly speaking, it becomes problematic when the navigation app is operated on the smartphone.
“It is forbidden to use smartphones in the car. This includes making calls, writing SMS or reading the time. It doesn’t matter whether the phone is on a holder or not. Using the smartphone with all its functions is simply forbidden, ”explains lawyer Christian Solmecke when asked by inside digital.
There is one exception – as soon as the car’s engine is off, the smartphone can be used. Incidentally, this also applies in the stop phase of cars with an automatic start-stop system. Solmecke knows that anyone who violates the law is in a lot of trouble with the law: “Anyone who violates Section 23 of the StVO must expect a fine of between 60 and 75 euros. If an accident happens as a result of using a mobile phone or while handling a speed camera app, the penalty is of course much higher. “
