Driving in Austria vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Austria versus Bosnia and Herzegovina, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices. Key disparities include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol thresholds, all impacting road safety. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience in both countries. Prepare for a safer journey by exploring these essential driving contrasts.
Lanes
| Austria | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, frequently used |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
Signals
| Austria | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unreasonable use prohibited |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
Headlight Flash: Usage
austria:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Austria | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Austria | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
bosnia and herzegovina:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Austria | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial fines possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Austria | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Usually provided by insurance |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically within a few weeks |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks