Driving license in Austria for expats

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.

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 After that your foreign licence is no longer valid for driving here.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.