Rules for driving in Austria as a tourist
A road trip is the best way to explore Austria, but there are a few things you should know about driving in Austria before you hop behind the wheel.
Since we live in Slovenia, we have made many road trips to Austria throughout the years, so we feel quite comfortable writing this guide for you.
We’ve put together the main rules you need to know for driving in Austria as a tourist and also our personal tips to make sure you have a good road trip.
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
General rules for driving in Austria as a tourist
Whether you will be renting a car or coming with your own vehicle, if you want to drive in Austria during your trip, there are a few basic rules you need to know:
- In Austria, you will drive on the left (same as most European countries)
- Wearing a seatbelt is obligatory
- Drivers must always have the necessary personal and vehicle documents with them when driving – read the next section for more information
- Winter tires are mandatory between 1 November and 15 April
- The maximum limit of blood-alcohol level is 0.05. The minimum fine is approx. € 300 with possible loss of the driver’s license.
What documents do you need for driving in Austria?
These are the main documents you need to have with you at all times when driving in Austria as a foreign tourist:
- Personal document with photo (Passport or ID)
- Valid driver’s license
- International Driver’s Permit (IDP) depending on where your original driver’s license is from – If your driver’s license was issued by another EU country, you don’t need an IDP
- Vehicle document
- Vehicle insurance
If you will be renting a car during your trip, the vehicle document and insurance will be provided by the rental company.
Additionally, if you want to drive on the motorways, you will need a vignette, as explained below.
Driving in Austria with a US license
American citizens need an International Driver’s Permit (IPD) besides their original driver’s license for driving in Austria.
Another option is to have an official translation of the US driver’s license which can be obtained at one of the Austrian automobile clubs (ÖAMTC or ARBÖ) but this is a more complex process and useful mostly for expats or people relocating to Austria for a short time.
If you will only be traveling to Austria as a tourist, the easiest thing to do is to get an International Driver’s Permit (IPD) before you leave the US.
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
Toll system in Austria: the vignette
One of the most important things you should understand before driving in Austria is the vignette system. Many people visit Austria on a road trip coming from another country and get a hefty fine because they forgot to buy the vignette. Don’t make this mistake!
The toll system in Austria works with the vignette and regular toll fees, depending on which road you will be driving.
A vignette is necessary to drive on Austrian motorways. The Austrian vignette is now digital, and there is no one physically checking it. While you drive, the vehicle’s license plate is scanned and that’s how the vignette is verified.
You can buy the vignette at gas stations or online on this website. They offer 1-day, 10-day, 2-month, or annual vignettes.
For a few specific roads, you will have to pay a separate toll fee. These are mainly tunnels, for example, the Karawanks Tunnel that connects Austria and Slovenia.
You can avoid paying all these fees if you drive only on local roads. However, for a road trip around the country, this means a lot of extra time because the local roads are smaller, slower, and longer.
I highly recommend getting a vignette for your trip!
Pro tip: If you rent a car from an Austrian car rental company, the vignette will normally be included already (but always double-check it just to be sure).
SafetyWing Travel Insurance
We know that insurance is one of those things that we think we don’t need… until we actually do! Dealing with hospital visits and health issues is stressful when you’re traveling, so getting a good travel insurance is the only thing that will give you peace of mind. We recommend SafetyWing, they have very flexible insurance plans covering almost every destination in the world! Take a look at their options and prices below.
Speed limit for driving in Austria
The speed limit for driving in Austria is based on the different types of roads, similar to how it works in other European countries.
The speed limits in Austria are as follows:
- Highways and motorways: 130 km/h
- Fast roads and local roads: 100 km/h
- Inside build-up areas: 50 km/h
Is it easy to drive in Austria?
Yes, driving in Austria is quite easy, especially if you’re already used to driving on the right.
If you’re coming from other EU countries, you’ll notice that most Austrian traffic signs are quite similar. If you’re coming from a country outside of Europe, we recommend taking a look beforehand to familiarize yourself with the basic Austrian traffic signs.
In general, driving in Austria is quite straightforward. Road conditions are very good and well-maintained even during the winter season.
Even Fe, who was used to driving in Brazil, did not have a problem when driving in Austria when traveling.
Driving in Austria during the winter
One thing a lot of tourists worry about is the road conditions for driving in Austria during the winter in December, January, etc.
In general, the road conditions are very good even during the winter. Austrians are quite used to snowfall so they are very well adapted to it. Both motorways and local roads are cleared up quite fast.
During the winter, it’s obligatory to have winter tires on your car (rental cars will have them already). I also recommend having tire chains if you know you’ll be driving on small roads in the mountains.
Besides that, all you need to do is be more cautious and attentive when driving in Austria during the winter.
Pro tip: One important thing to look out for when driving in Austria during the winter is something called Black Ice, which is a thin layer of ice barely visible to the naked eye. This can be very slippery, so you need to drive carefully. Black Ice usually happens in the early morning near freezing temperatures.
Read our other driving guides
- Guide for driving in Slovenia
- Driving in Italy as a tourist
- Driving in Croatia as a foreigner
- Guide for driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- All our driving guides
Need to get a SIM card for your trip?
Get yours with Airalo – we always use them on our trips!
FAQ – Popular questions about driving in Austria
Do I need an International Driver’s License in Austria?
It depends on which country your original driver’s license is from.
- EU nationals do not need an International Driver’s Permit
- US citizens need to have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) besides their valid driver’s license
I am not able to cover the rules for every destination here. If you come from another country, I recommend checking with your local government.
Is it safe to drive in Austria in December?
Yes, driving in Austria is quite safe at all times of the year.
In December, you can expect to encounter snow because it is already winter time, but the Austrian roads are very well-maintained and cleared quite fast.
A big part of Austrian tourism relies on the ski season and mountain destinations, so you can bet they invest heavily into making the country accessible during this time of the year as well.
What’s the minimum age for driving in Austria?
The general minimum age for driving in Austria is 18 years old, but Austrian citizens can get a license at 17 under special early permission.
However, foreign travelers may find that car rental companies might charge an additional fee if the driver is younger than 23 years old. This is quite a common practice and it’s called the “young driver fee“.
Because of this, you should always read the fine print when renting a car to avoid unexpected charges.
Do I need to pay a toll when driving from Germany to Austria?
Yes. German motorways do not have tolls but Austrian motorways do, via the vignette system.
So, if you are driving from Germany to Austria, you’ll need to stop at one of the gas stations near the border to buy a vignette. You can also buy the vignette online upfront if you prefer.
Should I buy extra insurance when renting a car in Austria?
We always recommend having car insurance when renting a car in another country. You can choose between buying it with the local rental company or a separate provider (some credit cards will have this as a benefit like Revolut has for example).
We usually use Discover Cars for renting vehicles whenever we travel. They offer comprehensive vehicle insurance which can be a great option for your trip. We recommend it even more if you will be driving in Austria under conditions that you aren’t used to, such as driving during the winter.
Continue reading about Austria
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Croatia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Croatia on Skyscanner.com.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
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