“Transport Pack 1: Cars” is a collection of 5 transcripts, each in their own PDF file.  The pack is a ZIP file containing the 5 PDFs and is available from the AllThingsGerman Download Store.

The transcripts in this pack are:

• Die Zulassungsstelle
• Die Parkscheibe
• Die Hauptuntersuchung
• Der ADAC
• Die Mitfahrzentrale

To find out more, visit the AllThingsGerman Download Store.

The Mitfahrzentrale is a place that allows you to find someone travelling to somewhere that you want to go, eg. in a car, and to travel with them in return for paying part of the costs. Alternatively, you can offer to take someone with you in your car and reduce your own costs.

To hear a simple explanation in German, listen to the podcast:

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ADAC stands for Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club e.V, which is Germany’s largest automobile club.

It has around 15 million members and is best know for it’s Gelbe Engel, or yellow angels, a term that refers to the yellow fleet of cars, motorcycles and pick-up trucks that help motorists in trouble.

There are several types of membership according to your status (eg. Student) or the amount of cover you require (eg. European).

To hear a simple explanation in German, listen to the podcast:

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Today in German Words Explained we explain the word “Hauptuntersuchung“.

This is the test that cars have to go through every two years to make sure that they are roadworthy, once they are at least three years old. It is commonly called the “TÜV”.
At the same time, an emissions test (“ASU”) is carried out.

If the tests are successful, coloured discs are stick on the number plates of the car to show the date of the next tests.

Most areas of Germany have their own testing stations, and most car dealers and repair centres also offer this service.

To hear a simple explanation in German, listen to the podcast:

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Today in German Words Explained we explain the word “Parkscheibe“.

This is a blue and white disc that you place in the windscreen of your car to show your arrival time when you use certain parkings spaces that require this.

A sign will tell you how long you can park for, using the Parkscheibe. Usually this will be 30 minutes, an hour or even two hours. There are even some stations offering four hours using this method.

It is important to understand that you set the disc to the arrival time, and if you arrive between the half hours, then you set it to the next half hour.
To hear a simple explanation in German, listen to the podcast:

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