Austrian vs UK Driving: Key Differences You Should Know
When navigating the roads of Austria and the United Kingdom, understanding their unique driving customs is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Austria versus the left in the UK, varied speed limits, and differing road markings. Equip yourself with this knowledge to enhance your travel experience and ensure safety abroad.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in austria is the Right Side of the road
86
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in austria is 86
1.628 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for austria is 1.628 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| Austria | United kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left | |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). | |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. | |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. | |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. | |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. | |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools | |
| 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, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. | |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. | |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. | |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. | |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
austria:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
austria:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
austria:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
austria:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
austria:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
austria:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
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| Austria | United kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph | |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas | |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60 mph | |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50 mph | |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 70 mph | |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph | |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph | |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph | |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
austria:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
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| Austria | United kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Prepare to go, not used in the USA | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
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| Austria | United kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not permitted in the UK | |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution | |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
austria:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
austria:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
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| Austria | United kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Not displayed; records are electronic | |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
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| Austria | United kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
When navigating the roads of Austria and the United Kingdom, understanding their unique driving customs is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Austria versus the left in the UK, varied speed limits, and differing road markings. Equip yourself with this knowledge to enhance your travel experience and ensure safety abroad.
Alcohol
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| Austria | United kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% | |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% | |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
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| Austria | United kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight | |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
austria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
austria:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
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| Austria | United kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 999 or 112 | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
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| Austria | United kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | £100 fine | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay