Which vehicles have to maintain such a great distance between them and the vehicle ahead when not inside a built-up area, that an overtaking vehicle can pull back into lane?

In Germany, traffic rules are designed to ensure safety on the roads, especially for larger vehicles. Trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating over 3.5 tons and combination vehicles longer than 7 meters are required to maintain a significant distance from the vehicle in front when not in built-up areas. This distance is necessary to provide room for overtaking vehicles to safely return to their lane after passing.

The rationale behind this rule is that larger vehicles have longer stopping distances, and maintaining a safe gap can prevent accidents caused by sudden braking. Moreover, it enhances the flow of traffic by allowing overtaking maneuvers to be completed safely.

While trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating up to 3.5 tons do have guidelines regarding distance, they do not have the same strict requirements as the larger and longer vehicles. Hence, the correct combination focuses exclusively on the vehicles that have specific rules regarding keeping a large enough distance for safety during overtaking. Understanding these distinctions helps in comprehending the broader traffic regulations in Germany.