Is it really legal to hitchhike at German service stations?
It’s a well spread urban legend in Germany: Pedestrians are not allowed to enter the motorway. (cf. §18 (9) StVO) -> Service stations are usually part of the motorway -> hitchhiking is forbidden at service stations. That’s nonsense, of course. If that were true, it would be illegal to fill up the car at the service station because you are pedestrian in the moment you left your car. For Service stations apply special rules. It’s literally purpose of those facilities to do things which are usually prohibited on motorways: It’s legal to stop, to turn, to reverse at parking slots and of course, entering as Pedestrian is allowed too. No matter of this, every service station operator has his householder’s right. It’s up to him what’s allowed on his ground and which persons are tolerated. It’s therefore his choice whether hitchhiking is allowed on his property or not. He can also dismiss people as he pleases. Of course, you should respect this. Actually, I never experienced situations like th
