Lexi Webster
If you're planning to live in Austria and want to drive, you'll need to get an Austrian driver's license. The process is fairly straightforward, but there are a few things you need to know. First, if you already have a driving license from another country, you can use it in Austria for up to six months. After that, you'll need to exchange it for an Austrian license. This usually involves taking a practical driving test and providing a suitable vehicle from the relevant license category, though the requirements vary depending on the country where your original license was issued. Once you've passed your test, you'll receive a temporary license, and your full Austrian driver's license will arrive by mail a few weeks later. But that's not the end of the process – you'll need to complete two additional driving courses within the first year of getting your license, as well as an extreme driving course and a psychologist's lecture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Driving school | Any school in Austria |
| Application | Submitted to the chosen driving school |
| Theory hours | 32 hours |
| Intensity of theory | 2 hours twice a week for 8 weeks (regular course), 4 hours four times a week for two weeks (intensive course), or 4 hours daily for 8 days (express course) |
| Exam | Conducted on computers in separate booths |
| Temporary license | Issued after passing the exam |
| Full-fledged license | Received by mail in a few days to a couple of weeks |
| Validity | 15 years |
| Post-license courses | 2 courses to be completed within 4 months and 1 year respectively; an extreme driving course and a psychologist's lecture to be completed within 9 months |
| Training hours | Depends on the category of license; for example, A-category licenses need 12 hours, whereas B-category licenses require 13 |
| Foreign license | Can be used for up to 6 months with an international driving permit or German translation; after that, must be exchanged for an Austrian license |
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What You'll Learn
Foreign licences: Conversion or exchange
If you are a foreign licence holder looking to exchange your driving licence for an Austrian one, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you can use your foreign driving licence in Austria for up to six months. Make sure to carry your international driving permit (IDP) and a German translation of your licence with you when driving. After six months, you will need to exchange your foreign licence for an Austrian one.
The process of exchanging your foreign driving licence for an Austrian one is generally straightforward. However, there may be some variations depending on your specific circumstances and the country where you obtained your original licence. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
Before initiating the exchange process, it is important to check if your foreign driving licence can be converted to an Austrian one. Generally, licences from non-EU/EEA countries can be converted, but you may need to take a practical driving test. Licences from specific countries, including the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, can be converted without the need for a practical test.
Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents
When converting your foreign driving licence, you will need to submit specific documents to the authorities. These typically include:
- A completed application form.
- Your original foreign driving licence.
- One passport-sized photograph that meets Austrian standards.
- A medical certificate (details available on the official Austrian website).
- Confirmation of registration in the civil registry (if possible).
- In some cases, additional documents may be requested by the driving licence authority.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
You can submit your application for a driving licence conversion to the State Police Department (Landespolizeidirektion) or the District Authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft or Magistrat) in municipalities. The specific authority responsible may vary depending on your location in Austria, so it is recommended to check with the official sources for the latest information.
Step 4: Await Your New Austrian Driving Licence
After submitting your application and required documents, you will need to wait for your new Austrian driving licence to be processed and issued. The processing time may vary, but you should receive your new licence within a reasonable timeframe.
It is important to remember that the information provided here may not cover all specific scenarios, and regulations can change over time. Therefore, it is always advisable to refer to official Austrian government sources or consult local authorities for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding foreign driving licence conversion.
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Choosing a driving school
First, it's important to note that you are not restricted to choosing a driving school in the place of your registration. There are plenty of driving schools throughout Austria, and you can select one that suits your preferences and needs. You can even choose to take your theoretical lessons at one school and then opt for a different school for your practical training and exam. This flexibility allows you to find the best fit in terms of location, availability, and teaching methods.
When selecting a driving school, consider the quality of instruction. Look for schools with experienced and qualified instructors who have a good reputation for patient and effective teaching. You can research reviews and testimonials from past students to get an idea of their teaching style and success rate. Additionally, find out if the instructors are native English speakers or multilingual if you require instruction in a specific language.
Cost is another important factor. Driving lessons in Austria typically cost around €65 per lesson, but prices can vary among different driving schools. Inquire about the cost per lesson, the number of lessons recommended, and any additional fees for registration, materials, or exam preparation. Be sure to get a clear understanding of the total cost to ensure it fits within your budget.
Some driving schools may offer intensive or accelerated courses if you need to obtain your license quickly. These courses might be more condensed and intensive, allowing you to complete the program faster. On the other hand, if you prefer a more gradual approach, look for schools that offer flexible schedules and a range of course options like regular, intensive, or express courses to suit your pace.
Finally, consider the availability of practice vehicles and training resources. Ensure that the driving school has a sufficient number of well-maintained vehicles for practical training. Inquire about the process of scheduling driving practice and whether there are enough vehicles to meet the demand. Additionally, find out if the school provides additional resources, such as mock exams, online learning materials, or one-on-one instructor support.
Remember, choosing a driving school that aligns with your needs and provides quality instruction will set you up for success in obtaining your driver's license in Austria.
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Theoretical studies
In Austria, theoretical studies are a mandatory part of obtaining a driver's license. The theoretical component of driving instruction in the country spans 32 hours, and individuals can choose the pace at which they wish to complete this portion. The available options include a regular course, an intensive course, and an express course.
The regular course involves two-hour sessions held twice a week for eight weeks, resulting in a total of 16 sessions. On the other hand, the intensive course doubles the session duration and frequency, with four-hour sessions held four times a week for two weeks, also amounting to 16 sessions. For those seeking an even faster option, the express course offers daily four-hour sessions for eight consecutive days.
Upon completion of the theoretical studies, candidates must choose a driving school to take their exam. This can be any driving school in Austria, and individuals are required to bring an identity card, as they will not be permitted to take the exam without it. The theoretical examination is standardized across the country and is conducted on computers in separate booths.
The exam covers a basic module that is mandatory for all categories of licenses. In addition, there are nine other modules, each catering to specific license categories, such as A, B, C, and so on. Depending on the desired license category, candidates will need to pass the base module and the relevant additional module(s). Those who already possess a driver's license and are seeking an additional category will be exempt from the base module. Each question in the exam offers four possible answers.
Passing the theoretical exam is a crucial step towards obtaining a driver's license in Austria, and it allows candidates to move closer to achieving their driving goals.
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Practical driving tests
To get a driver's license in Austria, you must first complete a certain number of training hours with a registered instructor. The number of hours required depends on the category of license being obtained. For example, A-category licenses need 12 hours, whereas B-category licenses require 13.
After completing the required training hours, you can take the practical driving test. When you are ready to take the test, you must bring a suitable vehicle from the relevant license category. The test will involve demonstrating your driving skills to an examiner, who will assess your ability to handle the vehicle and navigate different driving situations.
If you pass the practical driving test, you will be issued a temporary license that is valid only in Austria. You will then need to wait a couple of weeks to receive your full-fledged driver's license by mail. However, it is important to note that the validity of a driver's license in Austria is limited to 15 years, after which you will need to renew it.
For those with a foreign driving license, different procedures apply. If you have a license from a country outside the EU/EEA, you may need to take a practical driving test to convert your license. However, if you are a resident of Austria, most foreign driving licenses are valid for six months from the establishment of residence, after which they must be exchanged for an Austrian license. This process may involve taking a local driving test or simply converting the license, depending on the country where the original license was issued.
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Honing your skills
Once you have passed your practical driving test, you will be issued a temporary Austrian driving licence. Your photocard driving licence will be sent to you by post within a few days after you have paid the amount indicated on the fee sheet. But this is only the first step to becoming a fully-fledged driver.
Within two to four months of getting your licence, you have to complete a course to hone your skills at your driving school. This costs about 110 euros on a driving school car or 90 euros on your own car. Then, within a year, you have to do a second course.
Before you take the practical driving tests for your Austrian driving licence, you have to have a certain number of training hours. The exact number of hours you need depends on what category of licence you are getting. For example, A-category licences need 12 hours, whereas B-category licences require 13. At least the first six hours of your training must be with a registered instructor.
During this pre-exam prep, you will learn everything from traffic assessment and lane changes to negotiating intersections, economical driving, and how to navigate the Autobahns. In Austria, driving lessons normally cost around €65 each.
Within nine months of getting your licence, you have to do an extreme driving course and take a psychologist’s lecture. This takes nearly nine hours to complete in total.
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Frequently asked questions
You can drive in Austria with a non-EU/EEA driving license for up to six months. After that, you will need to exchange it for an Austrian driving license.
First, you must choose a driving school and submit your application there. Then, you will need to complete a theoretical course, followed by a practical driving test. Once you've passed the test, you will receive a temporary license, and your full license will arrive in the mail a couple of weeks later.
The theoretical course takes 32 hours. You can choose between a regular course, an intensive course, or an express course, depending on your preferred intensity. After completing the theoretical course, you will need to pass a theoretical exam at a driving school.
Getting your Austrian driving license is only the first step. Within four months, you must complete a course to improve your driving skills, and then another course within a year. Within nine months, you must also complete an extreme driving course and attend a psychologist's lecture.
