Austrian vs Croatian Driving: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Austria and Croatia, motorists encounter distinct regulations and practices that can impact their travel experience. Key variations include speed limits, lane markings, and vehicle documentation requirements. Understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Austria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| 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.
croatia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
croatia:
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.
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
croatia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
croatia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 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: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 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 |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
croatia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
croatia:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
croatia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
croatia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
croatia:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Croatian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
croatia:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
croatia:
Triangle with red border
Turns
| Austria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
croatia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| 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
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
croatia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Austria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
croatia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
croatia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
croatia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 92 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | 188 or check with your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
croatia:
92
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; significant fines possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Significant fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, often |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; stated at the time of fine |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
croatia:
Significant fines
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
croatia:
Yes, often
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine