Road rules and safety - Austria

Which rule are you interested in?

Seat belts
Traffic lights
Speed limits
Alcohol limits
Influence of drugs
Forbidden lane
Safety helmet
Mobile telephone
Other specific rules

The use of seat belts and child restraint systems is MANDATORY (Directive 91/671/EEC as amended).

Seat belts are not compulsory for:

drivers while reversing or parking
People who cannot use seat belts because of their size or those with disabilities.
drivers of emergency or official vehicles
taxi driver on duty
regular services below 100 km
seriously physically disabled children, if transported in the back seat
children transported in ambulances or public safety vehicles, if sitting in the back seat.
children transported in taxis, if sitting in the back seat
Passengers in buses leaving the seat for a short time.

Flashing green light warns that a change to amber is imminent.

Amber light: stop unless you are already too close to stop safely when the light changes

Motorcycles
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

	Urban roads
	Non-urban roads
	Motorways/expressways

Passenger cars & vans
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

	Urban roads
	Non-urban roads
	Motorways/expressways

Passenger cars & vans with trailers
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

	Urban roads
	Non-urban roads 100 km/h for cars or vans towing a light trailer of up to 750 kg (O1). 70km/h for cars or vans towing a trailer of over 750 kg and 80 km/h towing a trailer of over 750 kg where the combined weight is not more than 3.5 tonnes (O2).
	Motorways/expressways 100 km/h for passenger cars or vans towing a light trailer of less than 750 kg (Type O1.) 80 km/h for cars or vans towing a trailer over 750 kg and 100 km/h towing a trailer of over 750 kg where the combined weight is not more than 3.5 tonnes.

Heavy goods vehicles
over 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

	Urban roads
	Non-urban roads
	Motorways/expressways

Buses

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

	Urban roads
	Non-urban roads
	Motorways/expressways

< 0,5 g/l Standard drivers (from 0.8 g/l, withdrawal of driving licence)
0,1 g/l Novice drivers (less than 3 years' driving experience)
0,1 g/l Professional drivers

Forbidden drugs

It is forbidden to drive whilst under the influence of any type of drug that impairs performance. There are no rules concerning specific type of drugs.

Reserved lanes may be used only by public transport services e.g. buses.

There are also other types of lanes to which access is restricted.

	Mopeds
	Bicycles(Only for children up to 12 years.)
	Motorcycles with/without a sidecar
	Light and heavy tricycles
	Light and heavy quadricycles

	Drivers may not use their mobile phone without a hand-free set
	Drivers may use their mobile phone with a hand-free set

	Headlamp is mandatory even during daylight hours, but only for motorcycles and mopeds
	Safety equipment for carsFirst-aid kit Warning triangle Reflective jacket vest
	Mandatory use of winter tyres Mandatory use of winter tyres for vehicles above 3.5 tonnes (trucks between 1 November and 15 April, buses between 1 November and 1 March). For vehicles below 3.5 tonnes, winter tyres are only mandatory if the road is covered with snow or ice.

Disclaimer

This content on road safety and traffic rules is provided by the national authorities according to Article 8(1) of Directive (EU) 2015/413/EU. The European Commission does not assume liability for this content or its accuracy. For the most accurate and up-to-date information check national websites, where you can also find information on other national rules covering time-based charges (vignettes), emission stickers and road tolls.

Last checked: 12/06/2023