Driving in Austria vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Austria and Spain, understanding their unique driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol tolerance levels. While both nations prioritize road etiquette, Spain has a more flexible overtaking policy. Prepare for varied driving cultures to enhance your travel experience!
Lanes
| Austria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
spain:
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.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
austria:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Austria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Spain |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
spain:
Not used in Spain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
spain:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Austria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Austria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Austria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Austria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| 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
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay