Driving in Austria
Complete guide for tourists and expats. Learn the road rules, speed limits, and essential information before you drive in Austria.
Can You Drive in Austria?
Accepted Licenses From
Validity Period: EU/EEA: valid indefinitely. Non-EU: valid for 6 months; IDP valid for 1 year.
Important Note
EU/EEA licenses are valid. Non-EU licenses require an IDP or a certified German translation if the license is not in a Latin script.
What to Carry in Your Car
Mandatory Items
- Warning triangle
- First aid kit (DIN 13164 standard)
- Reflective vest (for each occupant)
- Winter tires (Nov 1–Apr 15 when conditions require)
- Vehicle registration document
- Insurance certificate
Recommended Items
- Snow chains (mandatory on certain Alpine roads when signposted)
- Vignette for motorways
- Headlamp beam deflectors (for UK vehicles)
Speed Limits
Urban Areas
km/h
Rural Roads
km/h
Highways/Motorways
km/h
Toll Roads
Payment Methods
Average Cost
Vignette: €9.90 (10-day) to €96.40 (annual) for 2026; special toll sections: €9.50–€13.50 per passage
A motorway vignette is required for all vehicles under 3.5t on Austrian motorways and expressways. Special toll sections (Brenner, Tauern Tunnel, Arlberg Tunnel, Karawanken Tunnel, Pyhrn) require additional separate payment.
Parking
Line Colors
Parking Tips
- Buy Parkschein (parking vouchers) from tobacconists (Trafik) or use the Handyparken app in Vienna
- Kurzparkzonen have maximum durations — check signs for 1.5 to 3 hour limits
- Park & Ride facilities at the edges of major cities are affordable and connect to public transit
Average Cost: €1–€4 per hour in city centers; many Austrian cities use short-term parking zones (Kurzparkzonen)
Common Mistakes Tourists Make
- 1Driving on a motorway without a valid vignette — replacement toll is €200 and fines up to €3,000
- 2Not carrying a reflective vest for every occupant — one per person is legally required
- 3Forgetting that many Alpine tunnels and passes (Brenner, Tauern, Arlberg) require separate tolls on top of the vignette
- 4Not knowing about Kurzparkzone rules in Vienna
- 5Forgetting special tunnel tolls are separate from vignette
Traffic Fines
Speeding
€20–€726; over 40 km/h can result in license confiscation
No Seatbelt
€35
Phone Use
€50 (on the spot); up to €140 if disputed
Red Light
€70–€726 depending on severity
Illegal Parking
€20–€90 depending on city
Ready to Drive in Austria?
Take a quick quiz to test your knowledge of the road rules.
Emergency Contacts
Police
133
Ambulance
144
Fire
122
Roadside Assistance
ÖAMTC (Austrian automobile club): 120; ARBÖ: 123
Partner link – opens GetYourGuide.com
Want to Master Austria Driving Rules?
Practice with our driving test questions and learn all the rules before you drive.
