Driving in Austria

Basic Legal Requirements

Driving Licence

When driving in Austria, you will need to ensure you bring both parts of your driving licence - the Photocard plus the Paper Counterpart (D740). If you do not have a Photocard yet, only the paper copy is required, but you will need Photo ID, such as a Passport

You must be the holder of a full driving licence (not a provisional), and have passed your test. Even if you have already passed your full test, you must be at least 18 years old.

The International Driving Permit is not required, but if you would like one you can apply through the Post Office. The international driving permit is in addition to your driving licence, so you will need to carry both copies.

While a photocopy may be useful if your licence is lost, you should carry the original with you.

Car Documents

You should carry your vehicles Registration Certificate (V5C) with you, which should be updated to show your correct details. For security reasons, it's best NOT to leave the Registration Certificate in the vehicle while it is parked - it makes it harder to a thief to resell the vehicle if they do not have the documentation.

While a photocopy may be useful if your Registration Certificate is lost, you should carry the original with you.

Motorway Pass

Before using a motorway in Austria, you must purchase a motorway tax sticker. These are generally available at service stations and petrol stations near the border in neighbouring countries. You can buy a pass for the duration of your visit.

Insurance

It is compulsory to have at least third- party insurance for Austria, as for the UK. Most UK insurance policies will allow an element of European driving, often for a limited period.

Before leaving the UK, it is a good idea to contact your insurer, and check what your existing cover allows. You should request a 'Green Card' which is an internationally recognised form of proof of insurance. You should carry proof of insurance with you while driving. You may also need to arrange insurance for any trailers.

If your existing insurance does not provide European cover for the period required, most insurance brokers will have a suitable policy covering Austria, and will provide Green Card.

Your Vehicle

Your headlights will need to be adjusted to ensure that they do not dazzle oncoming users.

Standard halogen headlights and Autobulbs Xenon HID Conversion kits can be modified by the use of a stick on Headlight Beam Adaptors. Vehicles with factory fitted Xenon HID headlights may find there is an adjuster either on the headlights themselves or on the dashboard - check your manual for details. If there is no adjuster, you may need to visit a dealer for them to make the adjustments, and again to change them back after your visit.

Reflective Jackets or vests are required in Austria, so you should carry one for each passenger.

A Warning Triangle is required. In the event of an accident or breakdown, the triangle should be set up by the side of the road, at least 50 meters in the direction of of the traffic. If you have broken down in the outer lane of a dual carriageway or motorway, or attempting to place the warning triangle would place you in danger, do not use it. Remember to collect your warning triangle before leaving!

Children under the age of 1.5m (4 feet 10 inches) and under 12 years must use an appropriate booster seat or modification - this includes two seater vehicles. All passengers must use seat belts if fitted

You may have a number plate that already has a valid 'GB' mark. If you do not, you will need to apply a GB sticker to the back of your vehicle.

There is a legal requirement to carry a first aid kit in the vehicle. There is not a requirement to carry a fire extinguisher, but they are generally a useful safety item to carry in your vehicle if you have the space.

It is recommended (but not required) that you carry a spare bulb kit suitable for your vehicle. While HID bulbs last longer than their halogen counterparts, it makes sense to carry at least one spare Xenon HID bulb suitable for your headlights.

November to 14^th April) you must use winter tyres marked M&S (Mud and snow) or with the 'snowflake' symbol. You can use normal summer types plus snow chains as long as you do not cause damage to the road surface. If the Police determine your vehicle is not equipped for the conditions they may prevent you continuing on your journey. Austria is very mountainous and conditions can be very difficult in the long winter season, so ensure your vehicle is capable of coping with sub- zero temperatures and difficult road conditions.

Driving - Legal Requirements

Lights

Dipped headlights are recommended on all vehicles all the time, and required for motorbikes. You many want to leave your lights in the 'on' position, if they turn off with the ignition, or leave a reminder.

Speed Limits

Speed limits can be modified by local signs, but the usual ones are:

• Built- up areas: 31 mph or 50 km/h
• Outside built- up areas: 62 mph or 100 km/h
• Motorways/Expressways: 80 mph or 130 km/h
• Vehicles that cannot sustain 37mph (60kh/h) are not allowed on motorways.

Traffic Priorities

Traffic from the right has priority unless otherwise indicated, so traffic joining from a side road may have priority. Be aware in towns that traffic from turnings on the right will pull out in front of you. On hills, ascending vehicles have priority, and trams have priority at all times.

Helmets

Helmets are compulsory at all times for scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. Visors should not have a tint of more than 50%, but apparently the local Police do not rigidly enforce this.

Overtaking

Overtaking is only on the left (the outside lane).

Warning with Horn and Lights

As in the UK you should not use the horn except to warn of danger. Using it inappropriately is much less socially acceptable than other European countries. Horns must not be used at all in areas near hospitals, and in Vienna.

Flashing headlights are used as a warning that a vehicle is approaching

GPS, Speed Cameras and Phones

You must NOT use any form of radar detector.

It is an offence to use a hand- held mobile phone in Austria while driving. Similarly, any display screens fitted, such as a DVD player, must be set up in such a way so the driver cannot see it.

Alcohol

Drink driving in Austria is similar to most European countries. 50mg or more alcohol per 100ml of blood will result in a fine. Significantly more will result in much larger fines and likely loss of your licence. Note that this is slightly lower than the 80mg blood alcohol allowed in the UK, so the safest option is not to drink at all when you are driving.

If you have had a licence for less than 2 years the limit is only 10mg per 100ml of blood, so any alcohol at all would likely put you over the limit.

Be aware that you may still have alcohol in your blood if you have been drinking the evening before.

Police and Fines

Police in Austria can issue on the spot fines of up to €36 for a range of motoring offences, including:

• Speeding
• Driving on the motorway without the motorway tax
• Not having winter tyres

Visitors driving in Austria will be expected to pay the fine, or a deposit immediately by cash or Euro cheque - police cannot take cards or payments in sterling. Any balance is payable within two weeks. If you do not have enough cash on you, the police may allow you to be escorted to a cash point. If you cannot pay the fine, the vehicle may well be impounded until you do.

If you do get stopped by the police, remember to remain polite. If you are abusive you can and will be arrested on the spot, and may find yourself facing more than a on- the- spot fine.

Driving Tips

• Drive on the right! It's easy to forget to drive on the right when changing roads, exiting motorways, going on to roundabouts or starting for the first time in the morning. Put a sticker on your dashboard, teach the kids to chant 'drive on the right' every time you get in the car or even wear one driving glove to remind yourself.
• Go round roundabouts ANTI- Clockwise.
• Remember to reverse the directions you look, especially on roundabouts. Your instinct when turning left will be to only look to the right, but as you have to cross both lanes, remember to look both directions. This is particularly tricky when crossing dual carriageways and joining roundabouts. Reversing the directions you check will also help when you are a pedestrian - remember to look right before stepping off the kerb.
• Traffic can heavy in Austria at all times. Ensure you allow adequate time for journeys, especially at rush hour.
• Signs are generally the same as their UK equivalents, but there will be advisory signs for parking and similar. A German (or Austrian German) phrase book or dictionary will help with translations.
• Petrol (91 and 98 Ron) and diesel are widely available, and LPG is available is some areas. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Not all UK cards issued by UK banks will work, so check with them before travelling.
• Leaded petrol is not available. The best option may be to take along supplies of fuel additive, although this is available locally.
• Spares and parts for some vehicles may be hard to locate in Austria, especially for imported or more unusual cars. It is worth checking the basic wear items like tyres, brakes and windscreen wipers, and carry a spare bulb kit and fuses suitable for your vehicle. Remember to check the spare wheel or inflation kit as well.
• If you are towing and use a mirror extender, check yours can be used on the left to maximise visibility when driving on the right.
• If you have UK breakdown assistance, it may well provide limited European cover. If it does not (or you do not have breakdown cover) consider getting this for the duration of your holiday. Recovering your vehicle from Austria could be expensive, and repairing it locally may be difficult to arrange.
• Road conditions are normally very good throughout Austria. Upgraded headlight bulbs or Xenon HID headlight conversion give longer viewing distances at night.
• Vouchers for parking are often available from local banks, petrol stations and tobacconists. Parking restrictions may be shown by 'Blaue Zones', crosses in front of buildings. You may need a permit even if there are no parking charges.
• Do not park overnight (8pm to 5am) in roads with tram lines during winter to allow snow clearing vehicles.

Useful Links

• European travel equipment: ABD.co.uk European driving accessories and spare bulbs
• Austria.info: Official Tourist website for Austria (in English)
• Wikipedia.org/Austria: Wikipedia entry on Austria