Driving in Austria vs. Thailand: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the diverse road rules of Austria and Thailand, drivers will encounter significant variations in regulations and practices. From the contrasting side of the road to speed limits and lane usage, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring safe travels abroad. Familiarize yourself with these crucial differences to enhance your driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Austria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| 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 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
austria:
Right
thailand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
thailand:
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.
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
austria:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| 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 | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Thailand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
thailand:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Austria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Austria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
austria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
austria:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Austria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days