Austria vs Liechtenstein: Key Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Austria and Liechtenstein, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their journeys. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption laws, all essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Understanding these contrasts will help travelers stay safe and compliant on their adventures.
Lanes
| Austria | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. |
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
liechtenstein:
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.
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
liechtenstein:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
liechtenstein:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Signals
| Austria | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn 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.
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
liechtenstein:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Austria | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Required annually |
| 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
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
liechtenstein:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Austria | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Heavy fines; varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
liechtenstein:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
liechtenstein:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Austria | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Contact insurance company or local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
liechtenstein:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Heavy fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay