Traffic regulations
This section provides important information for road users in Austria.
> Rescue lane on multi-lane roads (NEW since 01/2012):
In case of traffic congestions, drivers are obligated to clear a rescue lane. If there are two lanes, the rescue lane is cleared in the middle, which means that drivers on the left lane need to divert to the left, while drivers on the right lane to the right. If the motorway is a multi-lane road, the rescue lane is cleared between the extreme left and the lane that borders on that lane. This law contributes to saving human lives, as in case of emergency, there is no time spare. Motoring fines in case of non-compliance.
> Motorway permit stickers:
All Austrian motorways and clearways, including a total of about 2,000 km, are subject to road taxes. Motorway permit stickers, in Austria called “Vignette” or “Pickerl”, are conspicuously affixed inside on the windscreen. The stickers are available for a period of ten days, two months or the whole year at most filling stations.
> Toll roads:
A number of roads in East and North Tyrol are subject to taxes, for example the Passo Stalle, the Fernpass, the panoramic road Kitzbüheler Horn and the Grossglockner high alpine road.
> Maximum speed:
The maximum speed for bikers and passenger cars is limited to 50 kmph in town - 100 kmph out of town - 100 kmph on clearways - 130 kmph on motorways. Exception on motorways: Only 110 kmph on the Tauernautobahn (A10), Inntalautobahn (A12), Brennerautobahn (A13) and Rheintalautobahn motorways (A14) from 10 pm to 5 am. The speed limit enforcements are constantly tightened.
> Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs:
The drink-drive limit in Austria is 0.5 (0.1 for driving debutants, lorry and bus drivers). For drugs there is not yet a fixed limit value. A blood test gives proof of drugs. Who gets pulled over by the police with alcohol or drugs in the blood must reckon with stiff penalties - the spotchecks are tightened again and again.
> Phone calls when driving:
Making phone calls and reading/writing of text messages is not allowed. If you use a hands-free kit (if both hands are free) you can make phone calls.
> Light at daytime:
The obligation to switch on the lights also at daytime has been abolished in Januray 2008, but in 22 European countries it is still in force (e.g. Italy), so be careful when doing trips to the neighbouring countries from East or North Tyrol.
> High visitbility vest:
In Austria you have to wear high visitbility vests, which have to be yellow, red or orange and conform to the Austrian norm ÖNORM EN 471. On highways the high visitbility vest has to be worn when you position the breakdown triangle, on the motorway or other roads when the driver leaves the car.
> Belts:
On all seats which are equipped with seat belts you have to fasten them.
> Child safety lock:
Children agend under 12 and a body size of less than 1.50 m have to be protected by an appropriate retaining device (ECE approved) on seats with seat belt.
> Safety distance:
The safety gap should be equal to the time you need to brake in order to avoid to drive into the car in front, which is usually one second. In case of higher speed, adverse road conditions or vehicles with trailers, the distance to the car in front should be much larger. An insufficient safety distance is dangerous and penally.
> So called “crawlers”:
Driving extremely slowly without compelling reasons and thus obstructing or even endangering other road users is penally.
> Winter tires and more:
As North and East Tyrol are situated in the Alps you have to take into consideration that snow fall might be quite heavy. Don’t forget to mount winter tires and bring snow chains.
> Motorcyclists:
On motorways helmets are required for motorcyclers. Moreover all rules regarding road safety also apply to bikes (saftety gap etc.).
> Petrol:
There are four types of petrol characterised by different octane numbers: normal fuel (91 octane) - super petrol, super 95, euro super (95 octane) - super +, super 98 (98 octane) - premium petrol, super 100 (100 octane). Taking along fuel in spare canisters is allowed EU-wide, while it is limited to 10 litres in other countries.
> Vehicle documents:
Foreign travellers from the EU need the national driving licence and permission when entering Austria. Travellers from other countries need a German translation of the relevant documents or an inter-state driving licence.
> Entry documents:
For a stay of up to three months travellers from EU countries, Island, Liechtenstein, Norway, Great Britain and Switzerland need a passport without visa or a valid identity card.
> Entry with pets:
A Pet Pass with identification of the pets (by microchip or tattoo) as well as anti-rabies inoculation are required. Please note that if you come from a non EU country there are different regulations. For detailed information please contact the competent local authority ÖAMTC (see section “Links”).
For detailled information or for checking the the up-to-date information, contact the Austrian automobile club, calling 0043/512/3320-0 (ÖAMTC Tyrol) or visiting www.oeamtc.at (site available only in German language)!
