Austrian vs Slovakian Driving: Key Differences Explained
When driving in Austria and Slovakia, understanding the distinctions in road regulations and safety measures is crucial for a secure journey. While Austria allows certain overtaking maneuvers and has higher urban speed limits, Slovakia boasts stricter alcohol limits and different traffic signal protocols. Discover these essential contrasts to enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Austria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
slovakia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
slovakia:
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.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
slovakia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Slovakia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
slovakia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Austria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Austria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory and regular inspections 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Austria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| 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 | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay