Traffic rules

Traffic rules Austria

General:

Austria comprises an extremely extensive road network with 2000 kilometres of motorway alone, many of which are subject to tolls. A corresponding vignette must be purchased before starting the journey. Safety vests must also be carried and used if necessary. On mountain roads, vehicles driving uphill have right of way. In addition, honking is prohibited everywhere in Vienna.

Driving licence:

An international driver’s license is not required.

Promise limit:

The 0.5 per mille limit applies everywhere in Austria.

Toll:

To use motorways, you need a valid vignette properly attached to the vehicle.

Fines:

Drinking and driving: from 220 euros
Speeding: from 20 to 2,180 euros
Red light: 70 – 145 euros
Overtaking ban disregarded: 70 – 145 euros
Parking ban: from 10 euros

Phone calls are only allowed with a suitable hands-free device. A violation will be punished with 50 euros.

Other:

Similar traffic rules apply as everywhere else in Europe. Speed limits are 50 km/h in cities and 100 km/h is allowed on rural roads. The limit on motorways is 130 km/h. Parking is prohibited in narrow streets, on the left side of one-way streets and in marked areas in front of houses. Winter tyres are compulsory in Austria between 1 November and 15 April. Parking is prohibited on yellow zigzag lines. You are not allowed to drive past school buses as long as the hazard warning lights and the yellow-red warning lights are switched on. Overtaking is prohibited 80 metres before and after level crossings.