Driving Differences: Austria vs Italy Unveiled
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of Austria and Italy, where unique regulations shape the road experience. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and penalties, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safety abroad. Discover how these two countries differ in their approach to vehicular conduct and road etiquette.
Lanes
| Austria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Austria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
italy:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Austria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Austria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Alcohol
| Austria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
italy:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
italy:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
italy:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | 116 (ACI) |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
italy:
116 (ACI)
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days