Driving in Austria vs. Latvia: Key Safety Differences

As you navigate the roads of Austria and Latvia, understanding the unique driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. This comparison reveals notable contrasts, such as speed limits, lane markings, and penalties for infractions. By familiarizing yourself with these distinctions, you can ensure a smoother and more secure driving experience in both countries.

austrialatvia

RIGHT

Driving Side

The driving side in austria is the Right Side of the road

Driving Safety Score

The driving Driving Safety Score in austria is 86

1.628 $

Gas Price in USD

The driving Driving Safety Score for austria is 1.628 US Dollars

While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.

Lanes

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	Austria	Latvia
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 Right	Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.	Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Bus Lanes: Usage	Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.	Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence	Yes	No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications	Electronic signs display current limits.	N/A

Markings: Solid Yellow Line

austria:

Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.

latvia:

Marks the left edge on divided roads.

Markings: Dashed Yellow Line

austria:

Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.

latvia:

Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.

Overtaking: On Right

austria:

Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.

latvia:

Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.

Bus Lanes: Usage

austria:

Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.

latvia:

Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.

Variable Speed Limits: Presence

austria:

Yes

latvia:

Variable Speed Limits: Indications

austria:

Electronic signs display current limits.

latvia:

N/A

Speeds Limits

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	Austria	Latvia
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	80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles	130 km/h	100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans	100 km/h	90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers	80-100 km/h	80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines	Common; fines may also be mailed.	Common; fines are often issued immediately

Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles

austria:

100 km/h

latvia:

90 km/h

Rural Areas: Buses And Vans

austria:

80-100 km/h

latvia:

80 km/h

Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers

austria:

70-80 km/h

latvia:

80 km/h

Highways: Cars And Motorcycles

austria:

130 km/h

latvia:

100 km/h

Highways: Buses And Vans

austria:

100 km/h

latvia:

90 km/h

Highways: Trucks And Trailers

austria:

80-100 km/h

latvia:

80 km/h

Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines

austria:

Common; fines may also be mailed.

latvia:

Common; fines are often issued immediately

Signals

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	Austria	Latvia
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together	Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.	Not used in Latvia
Traffic Signs: Language	German; symbols are standard	Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning	Triangular with red border	Triangle-shaped with red borders

Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together

austria:

Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.

latvia:

Not used in Latvia

Traffic Signs: Language

austria:

German; symbols are standard

latvia:

Latvian; symbols are standard

Traffic Signs: Warning

austria:

Triangular with red border

latvia:

Triangle-shaped with red borders

Turns

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	Austria		Latvia
Right Turn On Red	Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light		Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed	Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it		Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise

Right Turn On Red

austria:

Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light

latvia:

Allowed unless prohibited by a sign

U- Turns Allowed

austria:

Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it

latvia:

Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise

Documentation

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	Austria	Latvia
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A	Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed	Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement	Yes, proof may be required	Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker	Displayed on license plate	Displayed on windshield

Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A

austria:

Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed

latvia:

Accepted, no International Driving Permit required

Vehicle Inspection: Requirement

austria:

Yes, proof may be required

latvia:

Annual vehicle inspection required

Vehicle Inspection: Sticker

austria:

Displayed on license plate

latvia:

Displayed on windshield

Road Etiquette

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	Austria		Latvia
Pedestrians Priority	Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks		Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings

Pedestrians Priority

austria:

Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks

latvia:

Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings

Alcohol

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	Austria	Latvia
Limits: Professional Drivers	0.01%	0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers	0.01%	0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks	Common	Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines	Substantial; varies by offense	Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal	Can result in license suspension	Can result in license suspension and fines

Limits: Professional Drivers

austria:

0.01%

latvia:

0.00%

Limits: Underage Drivers

austria:

0.01%

latvia:

0.00%

Enforcement: Random Checks

austria:

Common

latvia:

Common, especially on weekends

Enforcement: Fines

austria:

Substantial; varies by offense

latvia:

Substantial, varies based on BAC

Test Refusal

austria:

Can result in license suspension

latvia:

Can result in license suspension and fines

Emergency Services

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	Austria		Latvia
Contact: Traffic Police	133		Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance	120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)		Check with your insurance provider or local services

Contact: Traffic Police

austria:

133

latvia:

Varies; dial 112 for emergencies

Contact: Roadside Assistance

austria:

120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)

latvia:

Check with your insurance provider or local services

Penalties And Fines

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	Austria	Latvia
Common Fines: Speeding	Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license	Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol	Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time	Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts	Fines apply	€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use	Fines apply, points on license	€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation	Fines apply, points on license	€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot	Common	Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline	Varies; typically 14 days to pay	Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days

Common Fines: Speeding

austria:

Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license

latvia:

Varies; €20 to €300, points on license

Common Fines: Alcohol

austria:

Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time

latvia:

Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension

Common Fines: Seat Belts

austria:

Fines apply

latvia:

€20 to €40, fines vary

Common Fines: Phone Use

austria:

Fines apply, points on license

latvia:

€10 to €30, fines vary

Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation

austria:

Fines apply, points on license

latvia:

€30 to €70, points on license

Payment: On The Spot

austria:

Common

latvia:

Common; fines can often be settled at the time

Payment: Deadline

austria:

Varies; typically 14 days to pay

latvia:

Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days