Driving to Austria
Driving in Austria is uncomplicated and offers the greatest flexibility and freedom: you explore at your own pace. Roads are well maintained, whether you select a superhighway or a meandering byway. However there are a few rules you need to be aware of...

An international drivers license is required and can easily be obtained from your local auto club.

Australians require an international driving licence together with their Australian licence.

Quick facts:
- Minimum driving age is 17 (do not refer to car rental companies rules)
- Right-hand side traffic
- Seatbelts mandatory
- Third-party insurance compulsory
- No children under 12 in front seats
- Drink-driving limit: 0.05 per cent
- Speed limits (unless posted otherwise): 50 km/h in towns, 100 km/h on the open road, 130 km/h on motorways

Driving in Winter
All vehicles driving on snow-covered roads must have winter tires during the winter season (Nov 1 - April 15) or risk a fine if pulled over. Alternatively, all-season tires (if marked for M&S: mud and snow) are also acceptable during the winter season. Snow chains are not compulsory but must be carried in areas under advisory. Snow chains on summer tires - as an alternative to winter tires - are only accepted if the entire road is heavily covered with snow and no damage to the road is caused by the snow chains. These winter provisions are strictly enforced and control points are common.

Driving on motorways requires a VIGNETTE (toll sticker)
A vignette can be purchased at most petrol stations and at border entry points. 10-day Vignettes cost € 8.20 (2-month Vignettes cost € 24.20) and should be displayed on the internal side of the car's windscreen and permits travel on all motorways within Austria. This is strictly enforced by motoway patrols and failure to comply will result in on the spot fines. (Most hire cars will come with a vignette supplied.) More info about the Vignette

KorridorVignette for the A14 Rheintal/Walgau Motorway in Vorarlberg
In order to relieve congestion around the city of Bregenz on the banks of Lake Constance the ‘KorridorVignette’ will be introduced and will apply to the 23-km long corridor (“Korridor”) on the A14 Rheintal/Walgau motorway in the federal state of Vorarlberg between the German border and Hohenems (Exit 23, near the Swiss border crossing). The ‘KorridorVignette’ will only be available for a limited period of time, namely until the opening of the second tube of the Pfänder Tunnel, which is due to be completed in 2013.
The KorridorVignette will apply to all single- and twin-track vehicles (passenger cars, motorhomes and motorcycles) with a maximum gross vehicle weight of up to (and including) 3.5 t and will cost € 2.00 (incl. VAT) for one direction.
Please note: Drivers who are in possession of a valid annual, 2-month or 10-day toll sticker do not require an additional KorridorVignette!

The KorridorVignette may be purchased at the beginning and the end of the corridor at vending machines which can be operated directly from the vehicle. It will also be available for purchase at a number of authorised agents on roads leading to the corridor (primarily at petrol stations and service areas).
Headlights
Driving with your lights on is optional during daylight hours and compulsory at night. You will be stopped by the police and possibly fined if you do not comply with this.
Speed limits
Maximum speed limits (if not otherwise indicated on road signs):
Automobiles and Motorcycles:
• in town: between the local road signs: 50 km/h
• on country roads: 100 km/h.
• on highways: 130 km/h.
Mobiles up to 3.500 kg:
• in town: 50 km/h
• on country roads: 100 km/h
• on highways: 130 km/h
Passenger cars with light trailers (up to 750 kg); towing vehicles of a maximum total weight of up to 3.5 tons:
• in town: 50 km/h
• on country roads and highways: 100 km/h
Passenger cars with trailers of over 750 kg (towing vehicles and trailers together up to a maximum total weight of 3.5 tons):
• in town: 50 km/h
• on country roads: 80 km/h
• on highways: 100 km/h
Buses:
• in town: 50 km/h
• on country roads: 80 km/h
• on highways: 100 km/h (however between 22:00 pm and 5:00 am only 90 km/h).
Children on board
Children under the age of 12, who are below a height of 150 cm, must be seated in appropriate child-safety seats. In passenger cars and station wagons (also in so-called "mini-vans") only one child per seat is permitted, who must be secured according to age and height.
Drinking and Driving
Permissable alcohol limit 0.5 promille! Exceeding this limit is punishable with a fine of € 218,02 to € 3.633,34 or even with the confiscation of the driving license.
Seatbelts
In Austria, wearing seatbelts is compulsory.
Telephoning in the car
While driving one may now only telephone using the hands-free speaking system. The hands-free system must be mounted in such a way that all elements can be operated with one hand and the driver is not affected in any way. Disregarding this law is punishable with a fine of € 21,80 to € 726,73.
Regulations for Motorcyclists
When driving two-wheeled vehicles the wearing of helmets is compulsory in Austria. While driving, the dimmed headlight must be turned on even during the day. Toll stickers are compulsory.
Petrol
In Austria, unleaded regular-grade 91 octane petrol as well as Euro-Super (unleaded 95-octane) petrol are available at all gas stations.
The sale of leaded petrol is forbidden in Austria; for cars without a catalytic converter an additive is available at gas stations.
Get visible!
All motorists must carry high visibility vests with them when travelling within Austria, and must wear the vest in the case of a vehicle break down, when stopping in the middle of country lanes, whenever a warning triangle is used and in case of poor visibility. On motorways and dual carriageways it must be worn whenever leaving the car, however not when stopping on allocated parking places.
It is essential that it is a reflective, fluorescent colour (yellow, orange or red) in conjunction with white reflective stripes. Logos and any writing should not dominate. The vests must comply with the European standard EN471, visible on a sewn-in label.
This rule was implemented with security in mind and benefits everyone on the road, who is unfortunate enough to experience a car breakdown. The vests can be obtained at most petrol stations, OEAMTC and ARBOE Service stations in Austria for as little as € 3. A small price to pay for added security and visibility in case of a breakdown. The fee for not having one is € 14 and for not wearing it in case of a car break down, is an additional € 14.
Traffic Accident, Breakdown
Traffic accidents involving injury to persons must immediately be reported to the police; accidents involving material damage must only be reported when mutual identity has not been established. The ÖAMTC and ARBÖ automobile clubs operate a 24-hour emergency breakdown service, which may be utilized by anyone (non-members must pay a fee).
Emergency numbers (without area code)
Euro-emergency number 112
Fire brigade: 122
Police: 133
Ambulance: 144
Doctor-on-call 141
Mountain rescue 140
ÖAMTC emergency breakdown service: 120
ARBÖ emergency breakdown service: 123
Traffic News
Traffic news on all of Austria as well as the main connecting roads to neighbouring states are broadcast every half hour on the radio station Ö3. For reports on precarious situations, e.g. ghost drivers - the radio program is interrupted and a through-connection is made to all Austrian radio broadcasters. Traffic news may be reported round the clock at the telephone number 0800 600 601 (free of charge for all Austria).