Driving in Austria vs. Czech Republic: Key Differences
Discover the nuances of road regulations between Austria and the Czech Republic, two neighboring countries with distinct driving practices. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these variations is crucial for safe navigation. Key distinctions include stricter alcohol limits in the Czech Republic and unique traffic signal rules in Austria, ensuring a secure driving experience no matter where you travel.
Lanes
| Austria | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Only on multi-lane roads 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' or specific road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
czech republic:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| Austria | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
austria:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
czech republic:
Not used.
Horn Usage: Allowed
austria:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
austria:
Fines may apply for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
austria:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
austria:
Not to be used to signal other messages
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
austria:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
austria:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
austria:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| Austria | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
austria:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
austria:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
austria:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
austria:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Austria | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
austria:
Valid driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
austria:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
austria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
austria:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
austria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
austria:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
austria:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
austria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
austria:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Austria | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
czech republic:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
czech republic:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
austria:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
austria:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
austria:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Austria | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
austria:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
austria:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
austria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
austria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
austria:
Use for first exit or straight
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
austria:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Austria | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
austria:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
austria:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.