How to get a driver’s license in Austria? How to get a driver’s license in Austria?

You must apply for a driving license at a driving school. You can choose your driving school freely in Austria.

The procedure for issuing a driver’s license is carried out by the authority in whose area the driving school is located . However, in the best case, there is no need to contact the authorities.

Generally, the age at which you can drive a car is 18. And in a country like Austria, it is a special occasion for most young people. It is a day of freedom and independence from their parents. However, there are certain exceptions to how to get a driver’s license earlier.

Austrian driver’s license

To get a driving license in Austria, you must be at least 17 years old and have a family member or friend who has driven for at least seven years to accompany you as an instructor. The document issued is called an “L-17”. Novice drivers usually take training lessons before taking a written theory test and a series of driving courses and exams. The process is rigorous, and all tests are conducted in German.

Category	Minimum age of the future driver
AM	15 years
A1	16 years old
A2	18 years old
AND	20 years with previous possession (two years) of class A2 (driving three-wheeled vehicles from the age of 21) 24 years (direct)
B BE	18 years old
B of 17	17 years old
C1 C1E	18 years old
C CE	21 years18 years (“professional driver”, with a qualifying driver’s license or for driving vehicles for certain public tasks)
D1 D1E	21 years old
D DE	24 years old21 years old (with confirmation of driver qualifications or the right to drive vehicles for certain public tasks)
F	16 years for agricultural vehicles under certain conditions18 years

Driving school training (theoretical and practical) may begin no earlier than six months before reaching the minimum age for the relevant class or subclass.

Exception:

Training for category AM can begin two months before the child’s 15th birthday.
Driving school training for categories A1 and L17 can begin six months after the driver’s 15th birthday.
From the age of 16, you can start theoretical and practical training for category A2 at a driving school if you also complete the L17 training. However, you cannot take the practical driving test for category A2 before you are 18 years old.
Students in the profession of “professional driver” of categories B and C are allowed to start studying at a driving school six months before reaching the age of 17.

Driving license exchange in Austria

If you already have a driving license from an EU or EEA country , you do not need an Austrian driving license either . However, you can exchange your license for an Austrian one , which can also be used as proof of identity in Austria.

Residents of a country outside the EU/EEA, including citizens of Ukraine, who wish to drive locally must obtain an Austrian license within six months of arriving in the country. Depending on your country, you may be able to exchange your license without taking a theory or driving test.

If you want to exchange your Ukrainian license for Austrian , you will need to provide a number of documents:

Austrian driver’s license exchange application
Your original rights, including an official translation if the rights were not issued in German
Birth certificate
Residence permit in Austria
Identity card for new rights
Medical certificate for driving issued by a doctor

Roads in Austria

To drive on the Austrian highway called the Autobahn, drivers must purchase a so-called “vignette”. Austrian motorways are toll roads without toll gates. In addition, there are tolls for mountain passes such as the Brenner and Tauern motorways (toll roads) and tunnels.

The Austrian motorway vignette is available as a sticker and a digital vignette.

Be sure to buy a vignette online or at a gas station before you start driving on the highway. Cars pay €11.50 for ten days, €29.00 for two months or €96.40 for a whole year. It’s cheaper (about half the price) if you’re riding a motorbike.

The annual vignette is valid from December to January following the printed calendar year. The 2-month vignette and the 10-day vignette are valid from a freely selected date.

The fine is €120.00, so don’t take any chances.

For vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (also for motorhomes) a GO-Box is required.

Speed limits in Austria

The speed limit on motorways in Austria is 130 km/h; on sections with IGL (air safety control) you can only drive at 100 km/h. If you exceed the speed limit with IGL signs on, you will not be fined for speeding, but for an environmental violation, which is much more expensive and not worth the trouble. On open country roads, the speed limit is 100 km/h, in cities it is 50 km/h, unless otherwise posted. If there is a so-called “Wohnstrasse”, which you can recognize by the sign where children are playing, you have to drive on foot, i.e. at a maximum of 5 to 15 km/h.

Car insurance and other expenses in Austria

If you are buying a car in Austria , you will also need to factor in insurance costs. All car owners are required to have third party insurance , and some drivers also purchase comprehensive insurance, which covers their car in the event of an accident. Roadside assistance packages are another important thing to budget for in the event of a breakdown. You will also need to factor in registration fees when buying a new or used car.

If you buy a car outside of Austria , the buyer is responsible for paying any import tax and a roadworthiness certificate that confirms its safe driving.

Parking in Austria

There are different parking regulations in Austrian cities and towns. Many cities have short-term parking zones during the day on weekdays. You can find information about your region with the ÖAMTC app.

Parking in Vienna

Parking in Vienna is paid at certain times almost throughout the city. Valid from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00. Maximum parking time is 2 hours. Residents of the area have their own parking stickers.

These rates apply:

up to 15 minutes: free; 0.5 hour: 1.25 euros; 1 hour: 2.50 euros; 1.5 hours: 3.75 euros; 2 hours: 5 euros

Park & Ride

In Vienna, it is often worth taking advantage of the city’s so-called Park&Ride services. You can park inexpensively every day at one of the many metro stations in the outskirts and then continue your journey by public transport.

Driving rules in Austria

Driving rules in Austria include:

Traffic is carried out on the right side of the road;
Winter tires are mandatory in Austria for winter road conditions from November 1st to April 15th. Snow chains are mandatory, depending on the signs.
The legal limit for drinking and driving is 0.5 BAC; if your car is covered in snow, make sure you clear the roof, windows, front and rear of snow.