Lexi Webster
Driving in Austria requires a valid driver's license, and motorists must be aged 18 or over. Foreign licenses are accepted for up to three to six months, depending on the source, but an Austrian license is required after this period. In addition to a non-EU license, an international driver's permit is also necessary. Driving in Austria involves various costs, road rules, and safety considerations. Motorists drive on the right, overtake on the left, and must follow speed limits, which are strictly enforced with cameras.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum age to drive a car | 17-18 years old |
| Minimum age to ride a motorcycle | 16 years old |
| Minimum age to ride a moped | 15 years old |
| Driving licence requirements | A valid driving licence from the EU, EEA, or an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle registration requirements | Foreign number plates can be used for up to one month. After this, the car must be registered in Austria and local plates obtained. |
| Road rules | Drive on the right, overtake on the left. Overtaking is forbidden on or approaching pedestrian crossings and when crossing a continuous white line. Priority must be given to vehicles coming from the right unless indicated otherwise. |
| Speed limits | Within built-up areas: 50 km/h. Outside built-up areas: 100 km/h. On motorways: 130 km/h unless indicated otherwise. |
| Mobile phone usage | Prohibited while the engine is running and/or the vehicle is moving. |
| Emergency vehicles | Must give way and clear a lane for emergency vehicles. |
| Child passengers | Children under 14 years old and below 1.5m in height must use a special booster seat. |
| Bicycle and motorcycle helmet usage | Compulsory for children under 12 years old (or under 15 in the Niederösterreich region). |
| Vehicle dimensions | A vehicle with a trailer or caravan must not exceed 18.75m in length, 4m in height, and 2.55m in width. |
| Load weights | Must not exceed 11.5 tonnes at the drive axle and 10 tonnes at a single axle. |
| Snow chains | Only permitted when the road is completely or almost completely covered with snow or ice. |
| Fuel availability | Unleaded regular petrol (91 and 95 octane), Super Plus (98 octane), diesel, and leaded petrol with an additive for vehicles without a catalytic converter are available. |
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What You'll Learn
Driving licences and requirements
To drive in Austria, you must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence. Riders of motorcycles up to 125cc must be aged 16 or over, while moped (not exceeding 50cc) riders must be aged 15 or over. Driving licences issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. International driving permits are recognised but not required. If you have a non-EU licence, you must have an international driver’s permit. Any licence that is not in German must be accompanied by an official translation.
If you are visiting Austria and plan to drive, you can use your foreign licence for up to three to six months, depending on your circumstances. However, it is best to switch to an Austrian licence as soon as possible. To get an Austrian licence, you must take the following documents to the appropriate licensing office: a valid certificate of good health from a doctor, proof that you have completed driving theory training at a driving school, your foreign driving licence, and a residence registration form. In some cases, you may also need to provide a medical report.
If you are taking your own vehicle to Austria, you can temporarily import it for up to six months in any 12-month period without any formality. However, you must register the car in Austria and obtain local number plates after one month. Vehicles from the UK must display the letters 'UK' when driven in Austria.
There are strict road rules in Austria, and heavy fines and penalties for violations. Motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left. Overtaking is forbidden on or approaching pedestrian crossings, and when it means crossing a continuous white line. Trams can be overtaken if there is at least 1.5m space and you do not hinder or endanger passengers, but you must not exceed walking speed. As a general rule, priority must be given to vehicles coming from the right unless indicated otherwise. Emergency vehicles and vehicles on rails have priority over other road users, and a lane must be cleared for them in traffic. Drivers must stop at zebra crossings when a pedestrian is crossing or showing their intention to cross. On some mountain roads, if two vehicles cannot pass each other, one driver must reverse to a passing place.
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Road rules and safety
To drive in Austria, you must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence. If you have a non-EU licence, you must also have an international driving permit. Licences issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. However, any licence that is not in German must be accompanied by an official translation.
If you are visiting Austria and plan to drive, you can use your foreign number plates for up to one month. After this, you must register your car in Austria and get local plates.
In Austria, motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left. As a general rule, priority must be given to vehicles coming from the right unless indicated otherwise. Emergency vehicles and vehicles on rails have priority over other road users, and a lane must be cleared for them in the event of a traffic jam.
Speed limits are strictly enforced, and although you may not see any police monitoring speeds, there are cameras, and you will get a ticket in the mail. The speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h, unless indicated otherwise. Within built-up areas, the maximum speed is 50 km/h, and outside built-up areas, the speed limit is 100 km/h. If visibility is less than 150 feet due to bad weather, the speed limit reduces to 50 km/h.
Overtaking is forbidden on or approaching pedestrian crossings, and when it means crossing a continuous white line. Trams can be overtaken providing no passengers are endangered, and there is at least 1.5m space. Walking speed must be used when overtaking trams.
It is prohibited to use a mobile phone when driving, even when stuck in traffic.
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Speed limits and traffic
Austria has strictly enforced speed limits on its highways, and although you may not see any law enforcement monitoring speeds, there are cameras, and you will get a ticket in the mail. If you do get stopped for speeding, the fine must often be paid on the spot. The speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h unless indicated otherwise. Within built-up areas, the maximum speed is 50 km/h, and outside built-up areas, the speed limit is 100 km/h. The speed limit reduces to 50 km/hr if visibility is less than 150 feet.
In Austria, motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left. Overtaking is forbidden on and approaching pedestrian crossings and when it means crossing a continuous white line. Trams can be overtaken, providing no passengers are endangered and there is at least 1.5m space. Walking speed must be used when overtaking trams. As a general rule, priority must be given to vehicles coming from the right unless indicated. Emergency vehicles and vehicles on rails have priority over other road users. Drivers must stop at zebra crossings when a pedestrian is on or showing intention to use the crossing. On some mountain roads where two vehicles are unable to pass each other, both drivers should stop, and the driver for whom it is easier should reverse to a passing place.
To avoid traffic jams, it is recommended to leave early and take your time. Traffic congestion and the number of traffic jams in Austria increase during the high season due to the increased intensity of traffic. The ASFINAG website provides live updates and information on road conditions, including traffic jams and construction work. The best route from the Netherlands to Austria during the high season is via Munich, Ulm-Bregenz or Passau-Linz. Traffic in Munich is often heavy, but once past Munich, you will be able to drive with ease. Expect heavy traffic on the Italy (Brennerautobahn A13) route.
If you plan to use certain roads like expressways, you will need a motorway tax sticker (vignette) displayed in your vehicle. These can be purchased at gas stations near the Austrian border in neighbouring countries, when you enter Austria, or at AMTC offices. They are valid for 10 days, 2 months, or 1 year.
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Vehicle registration and inspections
In Austria, vehicle registration has been carried out by car insurance companies on behalf of the government since 2000. The branch offices of these companies issue the plates, which show three digits and two letters in each district or four digits and two letters in state capitals. The alphanumeric combination must consist of at least three characters, with at least one digit and one letter, and begin with a letter and end with a number. State capitals have one letter, while other districts have two. The letter Q is excluded from all sequences.
To register an imported motor vehicle, it must first be recorded in the approval database. For vehicles without an EU type approval (COC paper), an individual approval or, under certain circumstances, an exemption is also required. The owner must also calculate the amount of standardised consumption tax due and pay this to the tax office, along with the 20% purchase tax for new vehicles. Once the tax office has confirmed receipt of these taxes, the vehicle will be registered.
In Austria, vehicles and their trailers must be regularly inspected for roadworthiness and operational safety. These inspections are known as 'Section 57a inspections' or 'Pickerl' inspection stickers. The vehicle will be checked to ensure it does not produce excessive noise, smoke, unpleasant odours or harmful air pollutants. If the vehicle has severe deficiencies, it must be repaired before being presented for inspection again. Once the vehicle passes inspection, the 'Pickerl' sticker is usually white, while historic vehicles receive a red 'Pickerl'.
For those looking to lease a vehicle in Austria, companies such as SGS Austria provide independent used vehicle inspection services to help ascertain and protect the value of used vehicles when they are returned at the end of their lease periods.
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Costs and insurance
The cost of renting a car in Austria varies depending on the model and duration of the rental. On average, renting a car in Austria costs €50 per day. This price includes unlimited mileage, theft protection, and collision damage waiver. You can also add on extras such as GPS, child seats, and winter tires for an additional fee. If you are under 25, you may have to pay a "young driver" surcharge and may not be able to rent certain car models. It is also important to note that you will need to have held your license for at least one year to rent a car in Austria.
In addition to the rental cost, you will need to budget for gas, tolls, and parking. Gas costs will depend on how much you drive, but as an example, for a 3-day trip covering 600 km, you can expect to spend up to €60 on gas. For tolls, you will need to purchase a vignette to use the motorways in Austria. A 10-day vignette costs €9, a 2-month vignette costs €26-27, and a one-year vignette costs €87-91. With the vignette, you can use the motorways without any additional payments.
When it comes to insurance, most rental car companies in Austria provide basic insurance, but it is recommended to purchase additional coverage. Collision damage waiver and theft protection are usually included, but it is advisable to get personal car hire insurance to cover any excess fees that may be charged by the rental company in case of damages. Short-term car insurance can be purchased from separate insurers before your trip or at the rental counter, depending on your preference. Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) is also available at the rental counter.
If you are bringing your own car to Austria, you will need to make sure you have the minimum compulsory insurance coverage. This can be proven with a Green Insurance Card, which is recognized in 47 countries, including Austria. The cost of car insurance in Austria can vary depending on factors such as driving experience, engine size, and location. In general, Austria is considered to be expensive for car insurance, with monthly premiums ranging from €60 to €150.
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Frequently asked questions
You must be at least 17 or 18 years old and hold a valid driver's license to legally drive in Austria.
Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted in Austria. International driving permits are recognised but not required. If you have a non-EU license, you must have an international driver's permit.
You can usually drive with a foreign license for up to three or six months, depending on your circumstances. It is best to switch to an Austrian license as soon as possible.
Motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left in Austria. Overtaking is forbidden on or approaching pedestrian crossings, and when it means crossing a continuous white line. Drivers must give way to emergency vehicles and vehicles on rails, and stop at zebra crossings when a pedestrian is crossing or showing intention to cross. The speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h, and within built-up areas, the maximum speed is 50 km/h.
It is important to be aware of the local speed limits and road signs. Using a mobile phone while driving or cycling is prohibited. Snow chains are only permitted when the road is completely or almost completely covered with snow or ice, but carrying them is recommended for trips into high-alpine regions.
