Driving Differences: Austria vs. Slovenia Explained
Traveling through Austria and Slovenia requires an understanding of their unique road regulations. While both nations uphold strict safety standards, key distinctions exist in speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol thresholds. This guide will help you navigate the roads confidently and ensure a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Austria | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
slovenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
slovenia:
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.
slovenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
slovenia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
slovenia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
slovenia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, fines are often issued directly by police |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
slovenia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
slovenia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
slovenia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
slovenia:
Yes, fines are often issued directly by police
Signals
| Austria | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Slovenia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Slovenian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
slovenia:
Not used in Slovenia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
slovenia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
slovenia:
Slovenian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
slovenia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
slovenia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
slovenia:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Yes, periodic 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
slovenia:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovenia:
International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
slovenia:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
slovenia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Austria | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; roadside checks conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Severe fines; varies based on offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
slovenia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
slovenia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
slovenia:
Common; roadside checks conducted
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
slovenia:
Severe fines; varies based on offense
Emergency Services
| Austria | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | 1987 for AMZS |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
slovenia:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
slovenia:
1987 for AMZS
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, €250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
slovenia:
Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
slovenia:
Fines apply, €250
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
slovenia:
Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
slovenia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay