Driving in Austria

But if you’re planning a road trip to Austria, it’s essential you’re fully prepared ahead of time as driving there is different to the UK. 

To make your trip to the Continent as safe and effortless as possible, we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know before you go, from required documents to rules of the road.  

RAC European Breakdown Cover (Basic and Comprehensive) provides a wide range of benefits should you breakdown in Austria to ensure you stay safe. You can choose from single trip or if you travel a lot, we offer annual European breakown cover.

To supplement this, RAC also offers travel insurance. Cover will include medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings, among many other benefits.

Need short-term car insurance for your vehicle? Our temporary car cover is perfect if you're looking for flexible insurance for between 1 hour and 30 days.

In an emergency

Emergency lanes (rettungsgasse), whereby motorists move as far left or right in the respective lanes as possible to create a route down the middle of traffic during congestion, are compulsory on motorways and dual carriageways. 

112 - Here's a really important bit of knowledge; you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting. 

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French. 

Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Austria. Riders of motorcycles up to 125cc must be aged 16 or over, while moped (not exceeding 50cc) riders must be aged 15 or over.  

Driving licences issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. International driving permits are recognised, but not required. 

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into Austria for up to six months in any period of 12 months without formality. In order to stay on the right side of the law, the following documents should always be carried:

• Full, valid UK driving licence
• Proof of ID (passport)
• Motor insurance certificate
• V5 registration document

Do I need a GB or UK sticker for driving in Austria?

Since 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad has changed from GB to UK.  

This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters 'UK' when driven in Austria.   

The identifier can be incorporated in vehicle number plates (along with the Union Flag) or as a separate sticker. Note that vehicles featuring the letters GB together with the Council of Europe golden stars are no longer valid for driving abroad.

If your vehicle does not have the UK identifier within the number plate, you will require a UK sticker when driving in Austria. GB stickers will no longer be valid from the end of September.

Do I need an insurance green card?

From 2nd August 2021, drivers no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Austria.

ETIAS – 2025

ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a visa program for visitors who don’t need a Schengen visa, who want to travel to the European Union and a few other European countries.

Visitors who purchase an ETIAS will be able to enter the 26 member states of the Schengen Zone as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania.

This will be launching in 2025. Learn more about ETIAS here.

In addition to required documents, motorists are also required by law to carry the following items when driving to avoid hefty on-the-spot fines:

• Reflective jackets (which should be worn in case of breakdown outside built-up areas and on all major routes)
• Warning triangle (compulsory in every vehicle with more than two wheels) 
• First aid box (in a strong, dirt-proof box)
• Headlamp beam deflectors (depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually)
• Crash helmets are compulsory for riders of mopeds and motorcycles.

Is there anything that I shouldn’t take with me?

Be aware that you cannot take the following with you into Austria:

• meat or products containing meat
• milk or dairy products

You cannot take the following unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘phytosanitary certificate’:

• fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians)
• vegetables
• plants
• plant products

Overtaking and passing

In Austria, motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left. Overtaking is forbidden on and approaching pedestrian crossings, and when it means crossing a continuous white line. 

Trams can be overtaken providing no passengers are hindered or endangered and there is at least 1.5m space. Walking speed must be used when overtaking trams. 

Who has priority?

As a general rule, priority must be given to vehicles coming from the right unless indicated. Emergency vehicles and vehicles on rails have priority over other road users.

Drivers must stop at zebra crossings when a pedestrian is on or showing intention to use the crossing.

On some mountain roads where two vehicles are unable to pass each other, both drivers should stop and one, whomever it is easier, should reverse to a passing place. There is no priority rule. 

Warning of approach

Horns should only be used in case of danger and are largely prohibited in Vienna and around hospitals. 

Seat belts

It’s compulsory to wear seat belts in the front and rear seats of cars equipped with belts. 

The fine for failing to wear a seat belt is a €35 on-the-spot charge. 

Traffic lights

The international three-colour traffic light system is used in Austria.

A flashing green light means the green phase is ending so drivers should prepare to stop. 

Austria uses the metric system for all road signs, meaning speed limits and other road signs including distance are indicated using kilometres and metres. These are the general speed limits for private cars:

Special speed restrictions apply to certain classes of vehicle, including mopeds, motorhomes and vehicles with trailers, so check before travel.

Speeding fines in Austria range from €20 to €2,180 depending on the speed at which offenders are caught, or the road on which they’re driving.

Speed camera detectors

Radar detectors that interfere with police equipment are prohibited in Austria, although sat nav systems that indicate where fixed speed cameras are located are permitted.  

Dash cams

Dashboard cameras are prohibited in Austria.

All passengers must wear a seat belt if their seat is equipped with one. 

Child car seat laws

Children under 14 years old and less than 1,35m in height travelling in vehicles registered in Austria or abroad must use special seat belts adapted to their size, or special child restraints, both at the front and at the rear of the vehicle.  

Vehicles without such protection cannot be used at all to transport children under 14 years of age. Children under 14 years of age but over 1,50m in height must use the adult seat belt.

As an exception, children over 1,35 m are allowed to use a 3-point belt without special booster seat, providing the belt does not come across their neck or throat. 

Bike helmet law

Bike helmets are not compulsory in Austria except for children under 12 (or children under 15 in the Niederösterreich region).

A vehicle with a trailer or caravan must not exceed 18.75 metres in length, 4 metres in height and 2.55 metres in width.

Loads mustn’t exceed 11.5 tonnes at the drive axle and 10 tonnes at a single axle.

^{Please note: The Department for Transport advises that A-frames are not legal for use by UK campers and caravanners abroad. In practice, this could mean towing your car while it’s fixed to a trailer.*}

On-the-spot fines

Police can impose on-the-spot fines of up to €90 to drivers of foreign-registered cars. For a higher fine, the police may ask motorists to pay a deposit, with the remainder of the fine payable within the following two weeks.

Minimum and maximum fines

Fines range from €20 for a minor speeding offence to €5,900 for driving under the influence of alcohol. 

Some motoring offences are considered criminal offences and can also lead to licence revocation, and a possible prison sentence.

Parking regulations

Vehicles are not allowed to be parked in a place where they can cause an obstruction and if visibility is bad, side lights should be switched on when a vehicle is parked. 

On-street parking in central Vienna is severely limited, although there are plenty of underground car parks in Vienna District 1.

Paid parking

Parking charges apply in most major Austrian towns and cities and most have “m-parking” capabilities which allows visitors to use their mobile phones to make payment. 

Enforcement of parking regulations

Illegally-parked vehicles are likely to be clamped unless causing an obstruction to moving traffic, when they will be towed away. In both cases, a fine must be paid to cover the offence plus towing and impounding costs. 

Disabled parking access

EU-issued disabled permits are recognised across Austria and must be displayed on the windscreen of a vehicle. 

Legal limit

The general limit for drivers of private vehicles is 0.049%.

For professional drivers (driving a bus, coach, HGV or public service vehicle), as well as for newly qualified drivers (less than two years' experience), the limit is 0.01%.

Drink-driving test

A driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be made to undergo a breath test for alcohol or a saliva test for drugs. 

Offenders face heavy fines and licence revocations and visitors could be banned from driving in Austria. 

All motor vehicles must pay a toll called a “mautvignette” to use motorways in Austria. Vehicles are required to display a sticker in the windscreen to show this toll has been paid, available from post offices, border points and fuel stations.

The charge depends on the length of the vignette, but costs around €10 for 10 days. Failure to have or display a valid vignette could see drivers fined €120. 

Austrian service areas

There are many service areas along the Austrian motorway network.

Availability of fuel

Different types of clean fuel are available in Austria, including biodiesel, LPG and thousands of public charging points. There are no automatic petrol pumps in Austria. 

Fuel prices in Austria can be found in our up-to-date European fuel prices page.

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Austria.

Though it might be a good idea to read through everything anyway, here are the most important things to know for drivers of rental vehicles:

Rental information

• The minimum age to hire a car is 18, although this can vary depending on the provider and model of car
• You need a full, valid UK driving licence and usually a second proof of ID (passport)
• Car rental companies ask that you have held your licence for a minimum term of 1 year
• It is best to check with the hire company beforehand as to whether you will need a credit card
• You may not be able to drive outside of Austria unless planned in advance - check with your hire company first
• Make sure you get car hire excess insurance before your trip to protect yourself from unexpected costs. It's almost always cheaper to do this with a separate insurer and in advance

Hire car driving tips

• The national speed limit on motorways in Austria is 130km/h (80 mph). On a main road outside a built-up area it's up to 100km/h. For built-up areas it’s between 30km/h to 50km/h.
• Dial 112 in an emergency
• If seat belts are fitted to your car, they must be worn by both drivers and passengers.
• The blood alcohol content limit for drivers of private vehicles is 0.049%. That's lower than the 0.08% in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the 0.05% of Scotland.

Need cover for the UK leg of your trip? Get complete peace of mind at home or at the roadside with RAC breakdown cover.