Speeding In Austria: Fines And Their Impact On Your Record

Speeding fines in Austria are handled by the country's system for recording driving offences, which applies to all drivers in the country, regardless of their place of residence. The system imposes fines and other penalties based on the number of offences committed by a driver. For example, a driver who commits a recordable offence for the first time will have it recorded in the national driver licence database for two years. If no further offences are committed within that period, the record will no longer count. However, if another recordable offence is committed within the two-year period, the probationary period will be extended to three years.

The fines and penalties for speeding vary depending on the speed limit and the area where the violation occurred. For instance, exceeding the speed limit by up to 20 km/h inside an urban area can result in a fine of €30, while exceeding the limit by more than 50 km/h on a motorway can lead to a fine of €300 and a possible driving disqualification.

In addition to fines, speeding violations can also result in other consequences such as licence plate holders being fined or having their driving licence suspended. It is important to note that failure to pay a speeding fine within the specified timeframe can result in higher penalties or the initiation of regular administrative penal proceedings.

Speeding fines for exceeding the speed limit by up to 20 km/h, 30 km/h, 40 km/h, and more than 40 km/h

In Austria, speeding fines vary depending on how much a driver exceeds the speed limit and where the offence takes place.

Speeding fines for exceeding the speed limit by up to 20 km/h

In built-up areas, speeding fines range from €150 to €2,180, and the offender's driving licence may be suspended for 6 weeks. Outside built-up areas, fines range from €150 to €2,180, and the offender's driving licence may be suspended for 6 weeks. On motorways, fines range from €150 to €2,180, and the offender's driving licence may be suspended for 6 weeks.

Speeding fines for exceeding the speed limit by 30 km/h

In Austria, a speeding offence of 30 km/h will result in a fine of at least €150.

Speeding fines for exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h

Since 2021, driving licences can be retained for a minimum period of four weeks for all speed limit violations of more than 40 km/h within towns and more than 50 km/h outside towns.

Speeding fines for exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h

If the speed limit is exceeded by more than 80 km/h in urban areas or by more than 90 km/h outside urban areas, the vehicle can be confiscated and auctioned off. Fines of up to €7,500 may also be imposed, but this is generally only in the most serious cases, such as illegal car racing or repeat offences.

Anonymous penalty notices for minor speeding

In Austria, an anonymous penalty notice is a type of fine issued for certain administrative offences, such as minor speeding or disregarding a red traffic light signal. Unlike a summary penalty notice, which is issued by a law enforcement officer, an anonymous penalty notice is not addressed to a specific person. Instead, it is served to a person who may be assumed by the administrative penal authority to know or easily identify the offender.

In the case of administrative offences in road traffic, the anonymous penalty notice is typically sent to the licence plate holder. The fine can be paid using the original receipt attached to the notice or by transferring the amount to the indicated account. If the fine is paid by the due date, the authority will dispense with investigating the offender, and the proceedings will be concluded.

It is important to note that it is not possible to appeal against an anonymous penalty notice. If you consider yourself innocent, you are not required to pay the penalty amount. If no payment is received after a four-week period, the notice becomes ineffective, and the offender is investigated. The licence plate holder then has two weeks to name the driver, after which a penalty notice may be issued against that person or a regular penal proceeding may be initiated, which could result in a higher fine.

Speeding fines for motorways

Austria has a very different system from other countries, called the "Vormerksystem". This system is only used for serious offences. You start with zero points and lose your license when you reach three points. There are 13 different offences that will result in a point, and none of them are related to speeding.

The standard speed limit on Austrian motorways is 130 km/h. The fines for speeding on motorways vary depending on how the violation was recorded, i.e., by a police officer or an automatic device (radar). The fine for speeding on a motorway is €150-2,180, and your driving license will be suspended for six weeks.

If you are caught speeding, it is best to pay immediately. Fines of €25 or more can also be enforced in Germany with a limitation period of three years.

Tolerance

The tolerance for speeding in towns (50 km/h and lower) is 5 km/h. Outside towns, the tolerance is 5%.

Cross-Country Fines

Austria is a member of the European cross-country fine cooperation. Any traffic fine may arrive at your home address. Fines may be automatically shared between Austria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Speeding fines for exceeding the speed limit by up to 20 km/h, 30 km/h, 50 km/h, and more than 50 km/h outside urban areas

In Austria, speeding fines and penalties have become stricter since March 2024, following Denmark's example. The system for recording driving offences applies to all drivers in Austria, irrespective of their place of residence. Here is a detailed overview of the speeding fines for exceeding the speed limit outside urban areas:

Speeding by up to 20 km/h:

No specific fine amount is mentioned for exceeding the speed limit by up to 20 km/h outside urban areas. However, in general, fines of at least €150 are imposed for speeding at 30 km/h or more.

Speeding by 30 km/h:

For exceeding the speed limit by 30 km/h or more outside urban areas, fines of at least €150 are imposed.

Speeding by 50 km/h:

When speeding by more than 50 km/h outside urban areas, the driver's licence can be retained for a minimum of four weeks. This generally only affects the driving licence in Austria and not in Germany for German drivers.

Speeding by more than 50 km/h:

For exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h outside urban areas, the Austrian police can confiscate the vehicle immediately on-site, and it can be auctioned off later. Additionally, the driver can be banned from driving the vehicle in question for life, which is recorded on the driving licence or driving licence register.

It is important to note that these measures are in addition to the fines mentioned above for speeding at 30 km/h or more.

Speeding fines and driving license denial

Speeding fines and the possibility of driving license denial in Austria are dependent on several factors, including the location of the offence, the speed limit, and the extent of the violation. Here is a detailed overview:

Speeding Fines in Urban Areas:

• Exceeding the speed limit by up to 20 km/h: Fine starting from €30.
• Exceeding the speed limit by up to 30 km/h: Fine starting from €50.
• Exceeding the speed limit by up to 40 km/h: Fine starting from €70.
• Exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h: Fine starting from €150 and possible driving license denial.

Speeding Fines Outside Urban Areas:

• Exceeding the speed limit by up to 20 km/h: Fine starting from €30.
• Exceeding the speed limit by up to 30 km/h: Fine starting from €50.
• Exceeding the speed limit by up to 50 km/h: Fine starting from €70.
• Exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h: Fine starting from €150 and possible driving license denial.

Speeding Fines on Motorways (130 km/h):

• Exceeding the speed limit by up to 10 km/h: Fine starting from €20.
• Exceeding the speed limit by 11 to 20 km/h: Fine starting from €35.
• Exceeding the speed limit by 20 to 25 km/h: Fine starting from €50.
• Exceeding the speed limit by 26 to 30 km/h: Fine starting from €50.
• Exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 km/h: Fine starting from €150 and possible driving disqualification.
• Exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h: Fine starting from €300 and possible driving disqualification.

It is important to note that these fines are indications and may be higher or lower depending on the specific circumstances of the violation. Additionally, Austria has a penalty point system that applies to both locals and foreigners. After three violations, foreigners will face a driving ban for a minimum of three months. This ban only applies within Austria.

Administrative Penal Proceedings:

In Austria, there are two types of penalty notices for administrative offences: the summary penalty notice and the anonymous penalty notice.

The summary penalty notice is issued for minor offences such as illegal parking or using a mobile phone without a hands-free device while driving. The fine for this type of notice is up to €90 and must be paid within two weeks. If the fine is not paid, the notice becomes ineffective, and a report is sent to the administrative penal authority, which may initiate proceedings and impose a higher fine.

The anonymous penalty notice is used for certain offences, including minor speeding or disregarding a red traffic light signal. This notice is not addressed to a specific person but is sent to the licence plate holder. The fine must be paid within four weeks, after which the offender will be investigated if no payment is received. The fine can be paid by bank transfer, and if paid by the due date, the authority will close the case without further investigation. It is not possible to appeal against this type of penalty notice.

Frequently asked questions