Austria vs Germany: Key Driving Differences Explained
Explore the fascinating contrasts between Austria and Germany when it comes to road regulations and driving norms. From lane markings to speed limits, understanding these distinctions is crucial for a secure journey abroad. Discover how alcohol limits and emergency protocols vary, ensuring you’re well-informed for your travels in these two unique countries.
Lanes
| Austria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Common |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
germany:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
germany:
Common
Signals
| Austria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Indicates the light is about to change to green |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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.
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
germany:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Austria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Austria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory, every 2 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on rear license plate |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Can be substantial, varies by offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
germany:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
germany:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Austria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
germany:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €30 to €60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €90 to €200, points on license |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
germany:
€30 to €60
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
germany:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay