Driving in Austria vs. Turkey: Key Differences Explained
When venturing into Austria and Turkey, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Notable distinctions arise in lane markings, speed limits, and signaling practices. While Austria emphasizes strict enforcement and specific rules for foreign drivers, Turkey's guidelines are shaped by cultural norms and unique local requirements. Stay informed to navigate these diverse terrains confidently.
Lanes
| Austria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
turkey:
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.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Austria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
turkey:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Austria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Austria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Austria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Austria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges