Austria

Key points for young drivers:

• Motorway and expressway: 130 km/h, outside built-up areas 100 km/h, in towns 50 km/h.
• Alcohol: if you’ve had your licence for less than 3 years, the limit is 0.1 ‰ – in practice zero.
• Vignette compulsory on motorways and expressways – the easiest is the digital one from the official ASFINAG shop (annual and 2-month vignettes bought online are valid only from the 18th day!).
• In the car: first-aid kit, warning triangle and high-visibility vest – put it on before you get out on the side of the road.
• Under 18? You can’t drive yourself in Austria – the minimum age here is 18.
• From November to mid-April, in snow or ice – winter tyres.

Seat belts and child seats

Everyone wears a seat belt – front and back. Children travel in child seats or on booster seats suited to their height.

If any passenger isn’t buckled up, you face high fines – as the driver, you are responsible.

Traffic lights

A flashing green light means amber is about to come on – get ready to brake. On amber you stop, unless you are already so close that you would have to brake sharply.

Helmet not compulsory

Bicycle – helmets are not compulsory for adults and children aged 12 and over (but it’s worth wearing one).

Helmet compulsory

• motorcycle (including with a sidecar)
• moped
• tricycles and quadricycles (light and heavy)
• bicycle – children up to 12

Compulsory equipment in the car

• first-aid kit
• warning triangle
• high-visibility vest – you must put it on before you get out on the side of the road

Missing equipment or a car in poor technical condition can mean high fines – even confiscation of your number plates or the car.

Compulsory equipment on a bike

No specific requirements in the sources.

Winter tyres and snow chains

From 1 November to 15 April, when there is snow or ice on the road, a car up to 3.5 t must have winter tyres on all wheels. Snow chains on the drive wheels can replace them only when driving on snow.

Lorries over 3.5 t must have winter tyres for the whole period 1 November – 15 April, buses from 1 November to 1 March.

Phone, drugs and other bans

Phone – calls only with a hands-free kit. Holding your phone while driving is banned.

Drugs and medicines: you must not drive under the influence of any substance or medicine that impairs your ability to drive.

Bus and public transport lanes (and other reserved lanes) are not for you.

Vignettes, tolls and low-emission zones

You need a vignette for motorways and expressways. Buy the digital one in the official ASFINAG shop, and the sticker at petrol stations in Austria.

Trap: a 2-month or annual digital vignette bought online by a consumer is only valid from the 18th day. The 1-day and 10-day vignettes are valid straight away.

Stick the sticker directly on the windscreen (left edge or behind the rear-view mirror). If it isn’t stuck on or is damaged, it’s invalid. Keep the backing with the number – it’s your proof of purchase. Checks are mostly automatic.

You pay separately for these sections: A9 Phyrn, A10 Tauern, A11 Karawanken, A13 Brenner and S16 Arlberg.

Note: from 2027 there will be no more stickers – only the digital vignette (in 2026 both forms are still valid) – check before you travel on the Austrian Ministry of Infrastructure website.

Documents and insurance

A driving licence from an EU/EEA country is valid in Austria, but you must be at least 18 to drive a motor vehicle yourself here.

Note: Whether a licence you got before 18 (e.g. accompanied driving from 17) is valid here depends on the issuing country – check before you travel at Your Europe – Road rules: Austria.

Bring your vehicle registration certificate and valid third-party motor insurance. You don’t need a Green Card in the EU.

What to watch out for

• Can’t pay a fine? The police can seize your belongings – you get a receipt and information on how to get them back.
• Border officers have the same powers as the police: fines, taking away your licence, detaining you.
• The A13 Brenner motorway is being renovated – since January 2025 it has been open in one direction only. ASFINAG gives up-to-date information.
• Through traffic is sometimes banned in some towns and villages – don’t trust your satnav blindly.
• Don’t drive onto or stop on private property (e.g. in front of a gate) – the owner can sue you.

Sources

• Your Europe – Road rules: Austria
• Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Odyseusz: Austria (in Polish)
• oesterreich.gv.at – Alkohol am Steuer (alcohol limits, in German)
• ASFINAG – official vignette shop
• Austrian Ministry of Infrastructure (BMIMI) – digital vignette from 2027
• Last updated: September 2026.