Driving in Austria Guide

Driving is a great way to see the towns and villages of Austria. Its compact size, excellent motorway, highway, and federal road network, and stunning landscapes make it a driver’s dream destination. The roads wind through breathtaking alpine passes, picturesque lakes and quaint, historic towns.

READ: Renting a Car in Austria

Tips for driving in Austria

This article may contain compensated links. See our full disclaimer here

1. The Basics

- - Austrians drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left.
  - Vehicles coming from the right have priority
  - Seat belts are compulsory in the front and back seats. The fine for failing to wear a seat belt is a €35 on-the-spot charge.
  - Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal unless you have a hands-free system.
  - Dipped headlights must be used at all times, even during daylight hours.
  - Trams have priority over other vehicles at intersections.
  - When driving in Austria you need to have a high visibility warning vests, a first-aid kit and a warning triangle in your car in case you break down.

2. Driving Licence Laws

- - Visitors must be 18 or older and hold a full, valid driving licence.
  - Driving licences issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted
  - If your licence has been issued by a non-EU or non-EEA state, you need an international driving licence.
  - A UK licence will remain valid in Austria even after Brexit.

International Driver’s Licence

When driving in Austria, carry both your IDP and your driving license with you at all times.
If you are driving in Austria without a IDP- you are driving illegally- which can cause problems dealing with police or if you are in an accident, your insurance will be invalid.

**Driving as a tourist in Austria (with a tourist visa) differs from driving in Austria with a residency visa. If you have a residency visa (meaning you can live here for over 6 months), you can drive with your licence for 6 months—but you must convert to an Austrian driver’s licence within those 6 months.
NOTE: Rental companies may or may not ask for the IDP –
IDP can be obtained through your country’s motor association – it normally only costs ~$20:

- - - - USA: AAA club
        
        Canada: CAA
        
        Australia: State and territory motoring clubs ie. NRMA, RACQ, RACV

Drink Driving Laws The drink driving limit in Austria is 0.5mg of alcohol per ml of blood – stricter than the UK and US where the limit is 0.8.

Penalties for drink driving are severe any may include the loss of you driving licence.

3. Motorbike Regulations

Helmets and daytime headlights mandatory. Toll stickers required on highways.

4. Speed Limits

If not otherwise indicated, the following maximum speed limits apply in Austria for cars and motorbikes:

Residential areas: 30 km/h (approx. 18 mph)
Within town limits: 50 km/h (approx. 31 mph)
On the open road: 100 km/h (approx. 62 mph)
On expressways: 100 km/h (approx. 62 mph)
On motorways: 130 km/h (approx. 80 mph)

TIP: There may not be a sign indicating the speed limit when you enter a town or village. BUT the speed limit is 50 km/hr as soon as you pass the town/village sign!

5. Vignette- The Toll Pass

All Austrian Highways (Autobahn) and expressways (“S” roads) require a toll pass, called a Vignette. You can buy a Vignette from petrol stations, post offices and newsagents (Tabak). If you’re driving into Austria from another country, the vignette is sold at petrol stations close to the border.

The sticker must be displayed inside your vehicle’s windshield as you enter Austria.

Failure to buy a vignette can result in an instant fine of €120- 240€. The police and toll officials regularly do spot checks at motorway exits and the toll roads have cameras.

6. What type of fuel is available?

All types of fuel are available in Austria and, although they may have different names. In Austria, unleaded regular-grade 91 octane petrol (gasoline) as well as Euro-Super (unleaded 95-octane) petrol are available at all petrol stations. The sale of leaded petrol is forbidden in Austria; for cars without a catalytic converter an additive is available at gas stations.

Diesel and LPG are also available.

7. E-Charging stations

Austria over 5,500 publicly accessible charging points in Austria and over 13,000 in total.

Many hotels, sightseeing locations and even some B&Bs have e-charging stations.

You can find e-charging stations on PLACETOPLUG map and ELECTROMAPS

8. Winter Driving

During the winter, the roads in alpine areas can become dangerous due to snow, ice, and avalanches. Some mountain roads may be closed for extended periods.

From 1 November to 15 April you may only drive in winter conditions, if you have winter tyres fitted.

Some roads may require snow chains.

If your car rental is from a country other than Austria make sure it is fitted with winter tyres.

Failure to comply results in a fine from 35€ to 5000€.

9. Driving into Cities and Villages and towns

Non-European drivers may be surprised that many of the roads in villages, towns, and cities are much narrower than they are accustomed to.

In the larger cities, you must watch out for one-way streets (EINBAHN), giving trams and buses the right of way, and pedestrian streets.

In some towns and villages (such as Hallstatt), non-locals are not allowed to drive into the village and must park at car parks outside the village.

10. What Rettungsgasse/ Emergency Corridor

Rettungsgasse (emergency corridor). This is a clear lane for emergency vehicles that must be formed immediately in case of traffic jams, which is compulsory on motorways and dual carriageways.

On carriageways with two lanes, a lane for emergency vehicles must be cleared between the two existing lanes

On carriageways with more than two lanes it must be cleared between the far-left lane and the lane next to it. This means that all drivers of vehicles in the far-left lane are required to steer their vehicle as far to the left as possible. All other drivers must drive as far to the right as is necessary for clearing a lane for emergency vehicles.

11. What should I do in case of a breakdown or accident?

Traffic accidents involving injuries must immediately be reported to the police; accidents involving material damage must only be reported when mutual identity has not been established.

There are two major breakdown assistance services in Austria: ÖAMTC and ARBÖ. Both operate a 24-hour emergency breakdown service, which may be utilized by anyone. Non-members must pay a fee.

12. Renting a Car in Austria

Austria and Europe have many car rental companies, such as Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, and others. We recommend comparing offers to find the best deals. We have found that AutoEurope has the best offers, including one-way rentals and longer-term rentals.