Driving in Austria vs. France: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Austria and France, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their journey. From unique lane markings and speed limits to specific protocols for emergency services, understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Explore the essential contrasts that can impact your travels in these two beautiful countries.
Lanes
| Austria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
france:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
france:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Austria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in France |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
france:
Not used in France
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Turns
| Austria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits |
| 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 | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
france:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Austria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
france:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
france:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
france:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Austria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
austria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
| Austria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay