Drive Safe Drive Austria.Know the roads before you go.
From Autobahn speed rules to Alpine pass safety and vignette tolls — everything you need to drive confidently on Austrian roads.
130
km/h Autobahn max speed
2,000+
km of Autobahn network
€16.50
10-day vignette 2025 price
112
Emergency number
⚠️ Vignette requiredAll vehicles on the Autobahn must display a valid digital or sticker vignette. Fines apply.
Learn more →
Traffic on the A10 Tauern motorway — STAU (traffic jam) gantry signs alert drivers to slow and prepare their Rettungsgasse
Essential tips
What every driver should know
🎫
Vignette is Mandatory
Austria requires a Motorway Toll Sticker (Vignette) on all Autobahns and expressways. Available for 10 days, 2 months, or 1 year. Buy online or at petrol stations near the border.
🏔️
Alpine Roads Take Skill
Mountain passes can be steep, narrow, and closed in winter. Always check conditions before setting off. Snow chains are often legally required on marked roads in winter months.
🚗
Emergency Corridor Law
In Austria, drivers in traffic jams on multi-lane roads must form an emergency corridor (Rettungsgasse) immediately. Failure to do so carries heavy fines and endangers lives.
🍺
Strict Drink-Drive Limit
Austria's BAC limit is 0.05% for regular drivers — lower than many countries. New drivers and professional drivers face a 0.01% limit. Police checks are frequent.
❄️
Winter Tyres Required
Winter tyres are mandatory in Austria from November 1 to April 15 when road conditions are wintry. Driving on summer tyres in snow or ice is illegal and dangerous.
🚧
Speed Cameras & Radar
Section control (streckenradar) cameras average your speed across a stretch of road — not just at one point. They are common on Austrian motorways and very difficult to outsmart.
Quick reference
Speed Limits at a glance
130km/h
Autobahn
Motorway — unless lower limit posted. No general open limit.
100km/h
Expressway / B-road
Dual carriageway outside built-up areas.
100km/h
Rural Roads
Outside built-up areas on single carriageways.
50km/h
Urban Areas
All built-up areas unless signed otherwise. 30 zones are common.
Rules of the road
Know before you drive
Austrian road rules differ from other European countries in several important ways. Familiarise yourself before setting off.
01
Right-hand trafficDrive on the right, overtake on the left. Coming from Ireland or the UK? You'll need to adjust.
02
Priority to the rightAt unmarked junctions, traffic from the right has priority — even on seemingly minor roads.
03
RettungsgasseIn any queue on multi-lane roads, you must immediately form an emergency corridor on the left side of the leftmost lane.
04
Hands-free onlyMobile phones must be used hands-free. Any handheld device use while driving carries stiff fines.
05
First aid kit requiredAustrian law requires all vehicles to carry a first aid kit and warning triangle at all times.
Emergency Numbers
Austria has well-signed emergency pull-in points on all Autobahns. Emergency phones are placed every 2km.
112
European emergency number
123
ÖAMTC Breakdown (Austria's RAC)
120
ARBÖ Breakdown
🇦🇹 Tip for foreign drivers
Many fines in Austria can be collected on the spot. Carry enough cash or card. Unpaid fines may be pursued in your home country via EU enforcement.
Austria's roads take you somewhere extraordinary — we're here to help you navigate them safely 🇦🇹
Austria awaits. Drive it well. 🏔️
From the mountain passes of Tyrol to the Ringstraße of Vienna — Austrian roads are among the most scenic and well-maintained in Europe. Respect the rules and enjoy the journey.
And pack those snow chains if you're heading into the Alps between October and May.
🏔️ ALPEN
Driver's guide
Road Safety in Austria
Whether you're crossing the Alps or cruising Vienna's Ringstraße, these tips will keep you safe and legal on Austrian roads.
Austria is one of Europe's most scenic driving destinations — and one of its most regulated. Speed cameras are widespread, traffic laws are strictly enforced, and fines can be collected on the spot. Being prepared means being relaxed.
Variable speed limit gantries near Innsbruck on the A12 — limits can change instantly based on traffic and conditions
01
🎫
Buy Your Vignette Before You Enter
All vehicles using Austrian motorways (Autobahn) and expressways must display a valid Vignette (toll sticker or digital registration). You can buy one online at asfinag.at, at petrol stations near the border, or at tobacconists (Trafik) inside Austria.
10-day: €16.50 — ideal for short trips or tourist drives
2-month: €29.00 — good for longer holidays
Annual: €103.80 — best for regular travellers
Driving without one: fines from €120 on the spot
The digital vignette is linked to your licence plate — no sticker needed. Order online in minutes before you cross the border.
02
❄️
Winter Tyres Are the Law
From 1 November to 15 April, winter tyres are mandatory when roads are affected by snow, ice, or slush. This is a situational requirement — if the road is wintry, you need them. Mountain passes can be closed without notice and snow chains are often compulsory on marked sections.
Winter tyres required Nov 1 – Apr 15 in wintry conditions
Snow chains mandatory on roads marked with the chain sign
Check pass conditions at passinformation.at before departure
Rental cars should include winter tyres — confirm before booking
The Großglockner, Silvretta, and Gerlos passes are spectacular — and demanding. Don't underestimate them in shoulder season.
The Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse — one of Austria's most dramatic mountain roads, reaching 2,036m at the Bieler Höhe
03
🚨
Form the Emergency Corridor Immediately
Austrian law requires all drivers in a traffic jam on a multi-lane road to create a Rettungsgasse (rescue lane) as soon as traffic slows significantly — not just when emergency vehicles appear. On a two-lane road, left lane moves left, right lane moves right. On three lanes, left lane moves left, all others move right.
Open the corridor as soon as traffic slows — not when you hear sirens
Fine for blocking emergency corridor: €726 – €2,180
You may also have your licence suspended
This rule is taken very seriously in Austria. Locals know it instinctively. Visitors who ignore it face some of the harshest fines on the road.
04
📸
Section Control — You Can't Outrun the Camera
Austria is a European leader in "Streckenradar" — average speed cameras that measure your speed over a section of road, sometimes several kilometres long. Even if you slow down at the camera, your average speed is recorded the moment you enter.
Drive on the right side of the road at all times
Overtake on the left only — never undertake on the right
Keep left except when overtaking — don't hog the fast lane
Speed fines scale with how far over you are — very high at 30km/h+
The A10 Tauern motorway and A13 Brenner pass are among the most heavily monitored roads in Europe.
Großglockner High Alpine Road — 36 hairpin bends, open May to November
Snow-capped peaks and open road — breathtaking but demanding driving
05
🏔️
Mountain Passes Need Respect
Many passes are narrow — stay in your lane and use pull-ins for oncoming vehicles
Hairpin bends are tight — take them wide from the inside
Uphill traffic generally has priority over downhill at pinch points
Check closure status: some passes close October–May
Don't use engine braking on long descents — use low gear, not just brakes
The views are worth every careful kilometre. Austria's passes are some of the most photographed roads in the world — for good reason.
06
🚨
Emergency Numbers
General emergency: 112 (EU-wide)
Police: 133
Fire brigade: 122
Ambulance: 144
ÖAMTC breakdown: 120 (wait, that's ARBÖ — ÖAMTC is 123)
ARBÖ breakdown: 120
Großglockner Hochalpenstrasse from above — the road ribbons across 48km of pure Alpine scenery
The Pasterze glacier viewpoint — one of the most dramatic stops on any Alpine road journey
Enjoy the drive. Austria rewards care. 🇦🇹
Austrian roads are engineered to the highest standard. The country puts enormous pride into its infrastructure — match that respect behind the wheel.
Allow extra time for mountain sections. What looks short on a map can take twice as long when you're navigating Alpine hairpins.
130 🚗
Driver's guide
Speed Limits in Austria
Austria has clearly defined speed limits across all road types — with strict enforcement including section control cameras. Know the rules before you drive.
Variable speed limit gantries are widespread on Austrian motorways — displayed limits are legally binding and override the general 130 km/h limit
Road Type
Standard Limit
Cars Towing
Speed Sign
Autobahn (motorway)
130 km/h
100 km/h
130km/h
Expressway (Schnellstrasse)
100 km/h
80 km/h
100km/h
Rural road (outside built-up area)
100 km/h
80 km/h
100km/h
Built-up area (town / city)
50 km/h
50 km/h
50km/h
Residential / 30 zone
30 km/h
30 km/h
30km/h
🛣️
Autobahn — 130 km/h Maximum
Unlike Germany, Austria has a mandatory speed limit of 130 km/h on motorways. There is no open-speed section. Variable limits are shown on overhead gantry signs and must be obeyed immediately. At night (10pm–5am), a 110 km/h limit applies on the A1 and parts of the ring road around Vienna to reduce noise pollution.
130 km/h max
Overhead gantry signs override the general limit
Roadworks zones typically reduce to 80 km/h
Night noise limits of 110 km/h on some sections near Vienna
In all towns and cities (signalled by the white name sign on entry), the default limit is 50 km/h. Vienna has an expanding network of 30 km/h zones, particularly around schools, hospitals, and residential streets. Always watch for 30 km/h zone signs which are legally binding regardless of road width.
50 km/h default
30 km/h zones are common and strictly enforced in cities
School zones may have even lower limits during school hours
Pedestrian zones: walking speed only where cars are permitted at all
📸
Speed Enforcement — Section Control
Austria pioneered section control (Streckenradar) technology which records your average speed across a stretch of road — up to several kilometres long. Slowing near a camera won't help. The entire section is measured from entry to exit and your average speed calculated precisely.
Section control cameras are marked at entry and exit points
Active on the A10, A13 Brenner, and multiple other motorways
Fines begin at €30 and escalate to thousands of euros for serious excess
Foreign-registered vehicles are subject to the same rules — EU enforcement applies
Austria's fines are among the highest in Europe for serious speeding. Travelling 30+ km/h over the limit can result in a fine exceeding €2,000 and immediate licence confiscation.
🎫 VIGNETTE
Toll information
Austrian Vignette Motorway Toll
All vehicles using Austrian Autobahns and expressways must have a valid vignette. Here's everything you need to know to stay legal.
All vehicles on Austrian Autobahns must display a valid vignette — cameras check plates automatically
🎫
What is the Vignette?
The Austrian Motorway and Expressway Toll Sticker (Vignette) is a mandatory toll charge for all vehicles under 3.5 tonnes using the Autobahn and expressway network. Since 2023, a digital vignette linked to your number plate is available — no sticker needed.
📅
10-Day
€16.50
Perfect for holidays and short visits
🗓️
2-Month
€29.00
Ideal for extended stays or return trips
📆
Annual
€103.80
Best value for regular travellers
Prices shown are 2025 rates. Check asfinag.at for the most current prices before purchasing.
🛒
Where to Buy
Online at asfinag.at — digital vignette available immediately
ÖAMTC and ARBÖ offices across Austria
Petrol stations near all major border crossings
Tobacconists (Trafik) throughout Austria
Some banks and post offices near borders
Buy online before you cross the border — the digital vignette is valid from the purchase date. The physical sticker must be applied to the windscreen immediately — never keep it in the glove box unattached.
⚠️
Fines for No Vignette
ASFINAG operates automatic cameras that read number plates and cross-reference vignette databases in real time. Driving without a valid vignette will result in an on-the-spot fine of at least €120, and up to €3,000 in administrative proceedings.
Cameras check plates automatically — no inspector needed
Foreign vehicles are fully included in the checking system
EU-wide enforcement means fines follow you home
A damaged or incorrectly applied sticker is treated the same as no vignette
Don't take the risk. The 10-day digital vignette costs less than a single coffee at a Viennese café. The fine costs considerably more.
🏔️
Special Tolls — Mountain Routes
In addition to the vignette, several major Alpine routes charge an extra toll. These apply regardless of your vignette status and are collected at toll plazas or electronically.
Brenner Autobahn (A13): Extra toll each way — one of Austria's busiest cross-Alpine routes
Tauern motorway (A10): Tunnel and mountain section surcharge
Arlberg tunnel: Toll applies for cars and trucks
Karawanken tunnel (A11): Surcharge to Slovenia
Road signs will warn you before toll booths
📋 REGELN
Driver's guide
Rules of the Road in Austria
Austrian traffic law is detailed and strictly enforced. Whether you're a tourist or long-stay resident, knowing these rules could save you a large fine — or worse.
🍺
Drink Driving Limits
Austria enforces strict blood alcohol limits. Police can stop any driver for a breath test at any time — no cause needed.
Legal limit
Regular drivers: 0.05% BAC
Professional drivers: 0.01%
New drivers (first 2 years): 0.01%
Consequences
0.05–0.08%: €300–€3,700 fine
0.08%+: licence suspension
Repeat offence: criminal charge
📱
Mobile Phones & Devices
Handheld phone use while driving carries an on-the-spot fine of €50. Hands-free use is permitted. Sat-navs must be mounted securely and not cover critical dashboard instruments.
Hands-free calling: permitted with a proper kit
Handheld phone: €50 minimum fine
Texting while stationary at a red light: still illegal
Headphones covering both ears: prohibited while driving
🚦
Right-Hand Traffic & Priority Rules
Austria drives on the right. This means adjusting overtaking, roundabout behaviour, and junction priority if you're used to driving on the left.
Drive on the right, overtake on the left only
At unmarked junctions: priority to the right
Trams always have priority — do not cut in front of trams
Roundabouts: traffic inside the roundabout has priority unless signed otherwise
Yellow diamond sign: you are on a priority road
Blue
Motorway / Autobahn
Red
Prohibitions
Yellow
Priority road
White
Local information
🧰
Mandatory Vehicle Equipment
Austrian law requires all vehicles to carry specific safety equipment at all times. Failing to carry these items is a fineable offence, even if you never need to use them.
First aid kit (Verbandkasten) — must be in date
Warning triangle — must be placed 100–200m behind a breakdown
High-visibility vest — driver must wear it when exiting the car on a motorway
Winter tyres (Nov–Apr in wintry conditions)
High-visibility vests are legally required for drivers who exit their vehicle on an Autobahn or expressway. Keep it in the passenger compartment — not the boot — so you can put it on before getting out.
🅿️
Parking Rules
Parking in Austrian cities is often controlled by a paid-parking zone system (Kurzparkzone). In Vienna, short-stay zones operate throughout the day in all central districts. Always check signs for duration limits and payment requirements.
Blue-edged Kurzparkzone signs mark short-stay paid zones
Maximum 2–3 hours typically in city centre zones
Pay-and-display machines or phone app payment required
Disabled spaces: Blue Badge / Austrian equivalent required
Towing is common for illegally parked vehicles — fines are high
🛣️ A1 A2 A10
The Network
Austrian Autobahns The Alpine Highway
Over 2,266 km of motorway cutting through the heart of the Alps — connecting Vienna to the world and every mountain in between.
Overview
Europe's Alpine highway heart
A vital European corridor
Austria's location at the centre of Europe makes its motorways critically important for international transport. Routes connect Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, and Switzerland — with millions of trucks carrying goods across the continent using these roads every year.
The network is managed by ASFINAG, which builds, maintains, and operates all Austrian motorways and expressways. The total network stretches approximately 2,266 km as of January 2025.
Heavy goods vehicles and passenger cars share Austria's well-maintained motorway network
Official ASFINAG motorway network map (January 2025) — red lines show vignette-required roads, green marks section toll routes
Key routes
The major Autobahns
A1
West Autobahn
The backbone of the Austrian motorway system. Runs from Vienna westward through St. Pölten, Linz, and Salzburg to the German border at Walserberg.
A2
Süd Autobahn
Connects Vienna with Graz and continues south toward Italy and Slovenia. Critical for freight transport between Northern and Southern Europe.
A10
Tauern Autobahn
One of Austria's most dramatic roads, crossing the Tauern mountain range via a famous tunnel. Connects Salzburg to Villach and on to Italy. Section toll applies.
A13
Brenner Autobahn
The most important alpine transit route in Europe. Runs from Innsbruck to the Italian border. Carries enormous freight volumes year-round. Section toll applies.
A12
Inn Valley Autobahn
Runs through the Inn Valley from the German border at Kufstein to Innsbruck. Features Austria's famous variable speed gantries and section control cameras. Connects to the A13 at Innsbruck.
Modern multi-lane motorway — Austrian autobahns are engineered for high-volume traffic while meeting strict environmental standards
Toll system
Vignette & Section Tolls
Austria operates a two-tier toll system. The standard vignette covers most motorways and expressways. On top of that, five major routes charge an additional section toll due to the high cost of maintaining tunnels and mountain infrastructure.
Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes use a separate electronic distance-based toll system (GO-Maut) and are not required to purchase a vignette.
Section toll routes
A13Brenner: Innsbruck → Italian border
A10Tauern/Katschberg: Salzburg → Villach
S16Arlberg: Bludenz → Landeck tunnel
A11Karawanken: Klagenfurt → Slovenia
S35Gleinalm: Graz northern bypass
The A13 Schönberg toll plaza near Innsbruck — one of Austria's busiest section toll points
Vehicles under 3.5t travelling section toll routes pay at the toll plaza by card or cash. Pre-payment is not required for cars.
Engineering
Built through the Alps
Constructing motorways through Austria's mountainous terrain required extraordinary feats of engineering. Many sections include long tunnels bored through solid rock, tall viaducts spanning deep valleys, and bridges crossing fast-flowing Alpine rivers.
Notable structures include the Europabrücke near Innsbruck (190m tall), the Brenner Base Tunnel (currently under construction — at 55km it will be the world's longest railway tunnel), and the Karawanken Tunnel connecting Austria to Slovenia.
Environmental protection is built into modern Austrian motorway design. Noise barriers, wildlife crossings, and drainage systems protect nearby communities and ecosystems.
Driver advice
Tips for driving Austrian Autobahns
📅
Plan for traffic peaks
Holiday weekends — especially July/August and around Christmas — see massive queues on the A10, A13, and A1. Check ASFINAG traffic reports before departing.
🚛
Trucks move right
Heavy goods vehicles must use the right-hand lane except when overtaking. Overtaking bans for trucks apply on many mountain sections, especially on weekends.
⛽
Service stations every 50km
Austrian motorways are well-served by Raststätten with fuel, food, and toilets. Many are open 24 hours. Never run low on fuel in the mountains.
📞
Emergency phones every 2km
Orange emergency call boxes are spaced 2km apart on all Austrian motorways. Press the button and you're connected directly to the motorway control centre.
2,266 km of alpine engineering. Drive it right. 🏔️
Austrian autobahns are among the most technically impressive roads in the world — bored through mountains, suspended over valleys, and maintained to the highest European standard year-round.
Respect the rules, buy your vignette, and enjoy one of the world's great drives.
📬 KONTAKT
Get in touch
Contact ASFinRoads
Have a question, correction, or road safety tip to share? We'd love to hear from you.
Send us a message
We aim to respond within 2 working days. For road emergencies, always call 112.
🇦🇹
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