Cheap Car Hire & Rental Austria Driving Tips

Austria Driving Tips

In Austria drive in the Alps, cruise along the Danube and visit ancient castles in the centrally located country, breathtaking vistas are common as you travel the highways of Austria. Traffic in Austria travels on the right hand side and overtaking is on the left hand side and a car will indicate its desire to pass by flashing its headlights. Streetcars passing on the left have the right of way. In summer driving conditions on Austrian roads are generally excellent and all the main roads are paved. All the road system consists of mountain roads and all mountain roads in the city are constructed to lead through forests or are secured at the edges. In winter winter tyres are essential and in extreme cases snow chains have to be used.

The minimum driving age in Austria is 18 years and a valid driving licence is essential. European driving licence is accepted in Austria non Europeans must carry an international driving permit and or a translation of their own licence. Unleaded diseal and LPG are all available and some pumps are automatic and take credit cards. The speed limit in the city is 30mph to 50kph, on the open roads it is 62mph to 100kph and on the highways it is 81 mph to 130kph. Overspeeding may cause you to pay fine to the policemen. Austria requires all vehicles using the autobhan to display a highway toll sticker.

In Austria seat belt is compulsory both in the front and the rear seat, children under the age of 12 and less are not allowed to sit in the front unless it is an approved seat and must use seat belt as well. Make sure that you carry all the mandatory items like the first aid kit and etc. Country of origin stickes must be used in Austria unless the licence plate has the sticker pre applied. Headlight deflectors should be used by the right hand driven cars and headlight must be used in tunnels. Motorcyclist must use headlights night and day dipped headlights are compulsory day and night.

Driving licence, insurance certificates, vehicle registration with proof of ownership along with your passport is all required to be carried along while traveling. Drinking and driving is illegal and can result in heavy criminal penalities, the legal blood alcohol level for driving in Austria is 0.05%. Austria does’nt have a particular reputation for crime but even so you should follow normal advice like keeping your vehcile locked and following the traffic rules. Police in Austria is empowered to issue on the spot fines and many credit card swipe machines are there in their car to collect fines. It is illegal to use a mobile phone without a hands free kit in Austria and if found using without hands free kit while driving heavy penality have to be paid.

Speed Limits in Austria roads:

Speed limit in the city 31 mph to 50 kph

Speed limit on the open roads 62 mph to 100 kph

Speed limit on the highways 81 mph to 130 kph

Alcohol limit in Austria:

The blood alcohol limit is low at 0.05%

Emergency Service Phone Numbers in the UK:

Police Service 133

Ambulance Service 144

Fire Service 122