In the German highway system they rank below autobahns, but above the Landesstraßen and Kreisstraßen maintained by the federal states and the districts respectively. The numbering was implemented by law in 1932 and has overall been retained up to today, except for those roads located in the former eastern territories of Germany.
In the German highway system, they fall below autobahns but above state highways and county roads maintained by federal states and districts. The numbering was mandated by law in 1932 and has remained largely unchanged to this day, except for those roads located in Germany's former eastern territories.