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Verified April 24, 2026Updated April 24, 2026

Driving License in Austria for Expats

Yes, for 6 months from establishing residence (non-EEA); EEA licences indefinite. After that, you must convert to a Austria license. Good news: the official test is available in English.

Start free practice →🇦🇹 Practice Austria Test

Key Facts: Austria Driving License for Expats

Test Authority
BMIMI — Bundesministerium für Innovation, Mobilität und Infrastruktur
Official Test Language
German, English, Croatian, Slovenian, Austrian Sign Language
Grace Period
6 months from establishing residence (non-EEA); EEA licences indefinite
Processing Time
2-6 weeks (authority may need to verify licence authenticity with issuing country, which can add weeks)
Theory Test Required
Not for exchange
Practical Test Required
Not for exchange
Medical Exam
Required
Total Cost
€150-300 (direct exchange); €60 practical-test fee per category + €11 theory fee where tests are required

Eligibility by Nationality

🇪🇺EU/EEA Citizens

EU/EEA driving licences (including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) are recognised in Austria and do NOT need to be exchanged, even for long-term residence. Exchange is voluntary. Note: older paper/card formats remain valid until 18 January 2033, after which only the EU card format is accepted. Categories C/C1 and D/D1 are limited to a 5-year validity after moving to Austria (§15 FSG).

🇺🇸🇬🇧US/UK Citizens

UK (post-Brexit): listed in Annex to FSG-DV — direct exchange for all categories without theory or practical test. USA: not on the all-categories list, but US licences qualify for direct exchange of category B only (no practical test required) per §23 FSG + FSG-DV annex; higher categories (C/D) require full Austrian tests.

🌍Other Non-EU Citizens

Must exchange the foreign licence for an Austrian one within 6 months of establishing residence (Hauptwohnsitz) in Austria under §23 FSG. After 6 months, the foreign licence is no longer valid for driving in Austria. The authority may extend by a further 6 months on application if the stay is short-term (study/work, max 1 year total).

🎓Students

Students may use a foreign non-EEA licence for the first 6 months after registering residence. If staying up to one year for study purposes, the authority can extend use for an additional 6 months on application (§23(1) FSG). Beyond one year, exchange or a full Austrian licence is required.

Required Documents

  • ✓Meldezettel (Austrian residence registration)
  • ✓Valid passport or EEA ID
  • ✓Original foreign driving licence
  • ✓Certified German translation of the licence (if not German, English or another recognised format)
  • ✓Medical certificate (ärztliches Gutachten nach FSG-GV) — required for non-EEA conversions, not older than 18 months
  • ✓Passport photo (35x45 mm)
  • ✓Proof of 6-month residence in issuing country at the time of original issuance (if not a national of that state)
  • ✓Completed application form

Costs Breakdown

Conversion/Exam Fee
€90 (Umschreibung, since 1 July 2025)
Medical Exam
€40-80 (amtsärztliches/verkehrspsychologisches Gutachten; higher if specialist referral)
Translation
€40-100 (certified German translation, if needed)
Total Estimated
€150-300 (direct exchange); €60 practical-test fee per category + €11 theory fee where tests are required

License Exchange Agreements

Direct Exchange (No Test Required) · 17

EU/EEA (all 30 countries - no exchange required, voluntary only)SwitzerlandUnited KingdomJapanSouth KoreaSerbiaMontenegroAlbaniaKosovoNorth MacedoniaAndorraMonacoSan MarinoGibraltarGuernseyJerseyIsle of Man

No Agreement (Full Test Required): All countries not listed above (most of Asia, Africa, South America) — applicants must pass the full Austrian theory and practical tests.

Tips for Expats in Austria

  • 💡EEA licences never require exchange — you can drive on your home licence indefinitely (except C/D categories which are 5-year-limited after relocation, §15 FSG).
  • 💡The 6-month clock for non-EEA licences starts on Hauptwohnsitz registration (Meldezettel), not on arrival.
  • 💡If your country is listed in the FSG-DV annex (e.g., UK, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Serbia), exchange is purely administrative — no theory or practical test.
  • 💡USA / Canada / Australia drivers get a partial exemption: practical test waived for category B only. Category C/D require full Austrian licensing.
  • 💡For a brand-new full licence, the short 6-hour "Unterweisung in lebensrettenden Sofortmaßnahmen" (life-saving first aid) is mandatory for categories A/B/BE/F (§6 FSG-DV). The 16-hour full Erste-Hilfe-Kurs is only required for D/DE (bus) licences.
  • 💡L17 "begleitetes Fahren" program lets accompanied learners start at age 17 (§19 FSG).
  • 💡Vignette (motorway toll sticker) mandatory on all Austrian motorways.
  • 💡Winter-equipment rule: winter tyres or chains required on snow/ice from 1 November to 15 April for cars/trucks.
Verified

From a recent expat graduate

A real story from someone who got their licence as a foreigner

Passed in Chile·May 3, 2026
“I find the service invaluable. It helped me immensely and I am impressed by the format and content. First class!”

I have now passed my driving theory test. The course and information was great and very helpful. The reason I had to take the test is because I am living in Chile which does not recognise the driver licence of my mother country.

AS🇨🇱
Antony StaceyExpat
Verified

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to exchange my EU driving licence when I move to Austria?
No. EU/EEA licences (including Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are valid indefinitely in Austria and exchange is voluntary. One exception: categories C/C1 and D/D1 are limited to a 5-year validity from when you move to Austria (§15 FSG). Older paper/card formats remain valid until 18 January 2033, after which only the new EU card format is accepted.
How long can I drive in Austria on my non-EEA licence after moving here?
Six months from the date you register your Hauptwohnsitz (primary residence) in Austria. After that your foreign licence is no longer valid for driving here. If you are only staying short-term (for study or work, up to one year), the authority can extend the use by another 6 months on application — §23(1) FSG.
Can I exchange my US driving licence for an Austrian one without taking tests?
For category B (cars), yes — the USA is on the FSG-DV annex for "no practical test" exchange. You still need a medical certificate, a certified translation, and proof of residence at the time the US licence was issued. For categories C or D (trucks/buses), the USA is not recognised and you must take the full Austrian tests.
Which countries can exchange directly for all categories without a test?
The FSG-DV annex lists: all EU/EEA states, Switzerland, United Kingdom (post-Brexit), Japan, South Korea, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man. Countries only exchangeable for category B include USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Hong Kong, South Africa, UAE, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
What does the Führerschein exchange cost in Austria?
Since 1 July 2025 the Umschreibung (exchange) fee is €90. On top of that you pay roughly €40–€80 for the medical certificate (ärztliches Gutachten nach FSG-GV) and €40–€100 for a certified German translation if one is required. If a practical test is needed, add €60 per category and per attempt.
Can I take the Austrian driving theory test in English?
Yes. The computer-based theory test is officially available in German, English, Croatian, Slovenian, and Austrian Sign Language. The practical test, however, is conducted in German — you can bring a certified interpreter at your own cost if needed.
Do I need a first aid course if I am only exchanging my foreign licence?
No — the first aid course is NOT required for an Umschreibung (exchange). It is only mandatory when you are obtaining a brand-new Austrian licence by taking the full tests: 6 hours of "life-saving first aid" (Unterweisung in lebensrettenden Sofortmaßnahmen) for categories A/B/BE/F, or the full 16-hour Erste-Hilfe-Kurs for D/DE (bus) licences.
Which authority do I apply to?
Depending on where you live: the Landespolizeidirektion (e.g. the Verkehrsamt at Dietrichgasse 27, 1030 Wien, for Vienna), the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (BH) in rural districts, or the Magistrat in statutory cities (Graz, Linz, Salzburg, etc.). An appointment is required; you can book via the BMI online appointment system.
Do I need a medical exam to exchange my licence?
Yes, for non-EEA licence exchanges. You need an ärztliches Gutachten nach FSG-GV (medical opinion according to the Driving Licence Health Regulation), issued by an authorised physician (often via ÖAMTC/ARBÖ centres) and not older than 18 months. EEA-licence voluntary exchanges do not require a medical exam.
How long does the exchange process take?
Typically 2 to 6 weeks. The authority usually has to verify the foreign licence with the issuing country, which can extend the timeline — especially for less common issuing states. You may be given a provisional driving document valid only in Austria while you wait for the card.
What is the L17 accompanied driving programme?
L17 ("begleitetes Fahren") lets Austrian residents start supervised driving at 17 after completing driving school and passing the theory and practical tests. The learner must drive at least 3,000 km accompanied by a registered supervisor before getting an independent licence at 18 — a popular path for young residents (§19 FSG).
Do I have to prove I lived in my home country when I got my original licence?
Yes. §23(3) FSG requires applicants to prove they had primary residence or stayed at least 6 months in the issuing state at the time the foreign licence was issued. This requirement is waived if you are a national of that state AND already held the licence before moving to Austria.

Official sources

Landespolizeidirektion / Bezirkshauptmannschaft / Magistrat (in Vienna: Verkehrsamt of LPD Wien)

https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/persoenliche_dokumente_und_bestaetigungen/fuehrerschein.html

License Conversion Info

https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/persoenliche_dokumente_und_bestaetigungen/fuehrerschein/3/Seite.040500

Tourist Guide: AustriaAll Expat GuidesDriving Abroad Guide
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