Traffic rules in Austria

Austria is one of the most popular travel destinations for drivers from Germany – whether for a short trip to the mountains, a summer holiday by the lake, or as a transit country on the way south. To ensure your journey goes as smoothly as possible, it's worth taking a quick look at the most important regulations: from choosing the right toll or vignette option to speed limits and special features such as IG-L sections or winter equipment. In this overview, you'll find the key traffic rules in Austria that you should know in order to travel safely and avoid unnecessary fines.

What you need to keep in mind

Your German driving licence is sufficient for driving in Austria. Please always carry it with you, along with your vehicle registration certificate Part I (Fahrzeugschein). The German accompanied driving certificate (Prüfbescheinigung, a licence substitute) for supervised driving from age 17 is also recognised. As proof of valid motor vehicle liability insurance, the German licence plate is generally sufficient; nevertheless, we recommend carrying the IVK (International Insurance Card). This confirms your liability insurance cover and can usually be requested free of charge from your car insurer. It is also a good idea to check with your insurer before your trip to ensure you have adequate insurance cover.

The nationality identifier must either be included in the Euro licence plate or displayed separately on the vehicle.

A high-visibility vest (at least for the driver, recommended for all occupants), a warning triangle, and a first-aid kit (complete and not expired) must be carried in the vehicle.

A fire extinguisher is often recommended but is not generally mandatory for cars.

Vignette and tolls

On almost all motorways and expressways in Austria, a vignette requirement applies to motorcycles, cars, and motorhomes up to 3.5 t tzGm (technically permissible gross mass as specified by the manufacturer, field F.1 of the registration certificate Part I). For all vehicles (including motorhomes) over 3.5 t tzGm, the distance-based toll applies. In this case, the vignette requirement does not apply, and the toll is collected electronically using the GO-Box. The GO-Box is a transmitter device that records the kilometres driven and enables toll billing. On some tunnels and mountain pass roads, an additional route toll (also known as a special toll) is charged due to high construction and maintenance costs, and must be paid separately. Our route planner can help you choose the right product. You can also find further information on tolls in our guide.

Traffic rules

Blood alcohol limit

The blood alcohol limit in Austria is 0.5 per mille. For novice drivers with less than two years of driving experience (probationary licence), a stricter limit of 0.1 per mille applies.

Overtaking

In Austria, there is an overtaking ban within 80 metres before and after level crossings.

School buses and buses

Buses must not be overtaken when they have stopped to let passengers on or off and have their hazard lights and yellow-red warning lights switched on – not even at walking pace.

Mandatory lights

For motorised two-wheelers (motorcycles and mopeds), lights must be switched on at all times on all roads. For cars, driving with lights on during the day in good visibility is not mandatory. However, in darkness, fog, rain, or snow, lights must be switched on – as well as in tunnels and when towing.

Special road signs

If the speed limit sign (e.g. 100 km/h) includes an additional "IG-L" marking, an exception applies on certain sections for vehicles with an E licence plate: pure electric vehicles may drive at 130 km/h instead of 100 km/h there. Hybrid vehicles are excluded from this exception. This also applies to pure electric vehicles registered in Germany.

Tyres

In snow or ice as well as wintry road conditions, winter tyres (marked M+S) must be used between 1 November and 15 April. The minimum tread depth is 4 mm.

If you see a "no entry" sign with the additional notice "Except vehicles with winter equipment," you may only continue if you are using winter tyres or snow chains.

Snow chains may be made mandatory on certain roads by signage, and may also be used when there is a closed layer of snow, even without mandatory signage.

For heavy motorhomes, different regulations regarding winter tyres and snow chains may apply depending on the vehicle class.

Speed limits

The following figures serve as general guidance. The posted signage and any additional requirements (e.g. weather- or traffic-related restrictions) always take precedence.

Car / motorcycle / motorhome (light):

• Built-up areas: 50 km/h

• Outside built-up areas: 100 km/h

• Expressways: 100 km/h

• Motorways: 130 km/h

Vehicle combination (e.g. car with trailer up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight):

• Built-up areas: 50 km/h

• Outside built-up areas: 90 km/h

• Urban motorways: 100 km/h

• Motorways: 100 km/h

Motorhome (heavy):

• Built-up areas: 50 km/h

• Outside built-up areas: 70 km/h

• Urban motorways: 80 km/h

• Motorways: 80 km/h

Fines and consequences

For traffic rule violations, Austria distinguishes between different forms of penalties, depending on the situation and severity:

• On-the-spot fine (Organmandat): An immediate fine issued directly by the police, often for minor offences.

• Anonymous penalty notice (Anonymverfügung): Delivered by post if the driver is not stopped immediately.

• Formal penalty notice / administrative penalty proceedings: For more serious or disputed cases; higher penalty ranges and driving licence measures may be imposed.

The following amounts are intended as general guidance. Depending on the offence, fines can be significantly higher.

• Parking violation: from €20

• Not wearing a seatbelt: from €50

• Speeding by 20 km/h: from €60

• Running a red light: from €70

• Using a mobile phone while driving: from €100

• Drink driving: from €300

• Speeding by more than 50 km/h: up to €7,500

Good to know: Points in Flensburg are not awarded for traffic violations in Austria.

Road conditions

Austria has an overall very well-developed and well-maintained road network. Motorways and expressways are regularly modernised and are generally in good condition, although – as in any travel destination – construction sites and renovations may occur.

Away from the main routes, country roads are usually also easy to drive on and clearly signposted. In alpine regions, however, you should expect narrower roads, steep climbs, winding bends, and sometimes narrow mountain pass roads – especially if you are travelling with a trailer or motorhome. Some high alpine roads and passes may be temporarily closed in winter or during severe weather.

In the mountains in particular, the weather can change quickly: fog, heavy rain, or snowfall can affect visibility and road conditions, and icy conditions are common on higher-altitude routes in winter. It is therefore advisable to check the current traffic situation and any possible pass or road closures before longer journeys.

If you would like to explore the mountain regions in more detail, we recommend our guide to hiking areas for orientation.

Refuelling and charging

Refuelling and charging electric cars: In addition to its impressive natural scenery, Austria boasts a well-developed infrastructure. Nevertheless, a certain amount of preparation is helpful to ensure a smooth trip. In our article, you'll find all the important information on charging and refuelling in Austria.

Refuelling in Austria is well organised: a dense network of petrol stations ensures reliable supply for travellers. Charging electric cars is also becoming increasingly easier: numerous charging stations are available, especially in cities and along main traffic routes, and the infrastructure is continuously being expanded.

The combination of traditional petrol stations and modern EV charging stations in Austria ensures that both combustion engine and electric vehicles are well supplied. With a bit of planning, you can therefore travel with peace of mind, without worrying about running low on fuel or electricity. You can find more information in our article on charging and refuelling.

Rental cars

If you would like to use a rental car in Austria, you generally only need your German driving licence and an ID card. The rental company often also requires a credit card for the deposit. When booking, pay particular attention to the insurance cover, especially the amount of the excess, and avoid unnecessary add-on packages on site. Also check whether a vignette is already included or whether you need to purchase one yourself, as a vignette is mandatory on motorways and expressways. In winter, winter tyres should be fitted and, depending on the route, snow chains should be available. When picking up the vehicle, a quick vehicle check is recommended: document any existing damage, clarify the fuel policy, and have everything recorded in the handover report. This way, you avoid additional costs later and can enjoy a relaxed journey.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Austria. Please make sure to find out about the country's toll regulations in good time. You can find more information on tolls in our guide. If you would also like to find out more about vehicle classes in Austria, our guide also contains helpful information on this topic. You can also use our route planner to better plan your trip and see the appropriate toll products. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Contact us via email.