Driving in Austria vs India: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Austria and India, travelers will encounter significant contrasts in vehicular regulations and road etiquette. From driving on different sides to speed limits and signaling practices, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Discover how these two countries navigate their unique traffic landscapes and prioritize safety on their highways.
Lanes
| Austria | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Yes, but only when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| 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 |
Driving Side
austria:
Right
india:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
austria:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
austria:
Use rightmost lane.
india:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
india:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
india:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
india:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
india:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
india:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
india:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
austria:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Austria | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in India |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | English and local languages; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
india:
Not used in India
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
india:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
austria:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Turns
| Austria | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
austria:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Austria | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
austria:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
austria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| Austria | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
india:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
india:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
india:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Austria | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
austria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
austria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Austria | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay