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Driving in Austria is generally a pleasure, due to its excellend roads. Motorways (Autobahn) get crowded rarely. The toll for using the motorways is relatively small. Austrian drivers are well behaved, but many of them are speeding. Don't do this, you will have to pay a big fine if you get caught.
Speed limits in Austria are 130 km/h on motorways, 100 km/h outside cities and 50 km/h within cities. The usual speed limit signs might enforce lower limits. The minimum speed on the motorways is 60 km/h (vehicles that cannot get to this speed are not allowed to enter motorways).
You pay for the motorways by buying a vignette.When compared to other European countries, the vignette is quite cheap. For a car, it costs €7.70 for 10 days, €22.20 for 2 months or €73.80 for one year. Few people know that there is a special vignette (Koridorr-Vignette), that costs €2 and can be used only for one trip if you travel on A14 from Germany to Switzerland or in reverse. You are required to stick the vignette on the windshield, otherwise it is not valid. Police checks for vignettes and fines are going up to a few hundred euros. Police has the right to keep some of your valuables to make sure you pay. A vignette will allow you to drive on motorways, but you may ocassionaly have to pay additional tolls, e.g. on some mountain passes. This won't happen very often though.
Austria is a popular destination for winter holidays. Even if roads are maintained in good condition, you might ocassionaly meet high snow. Winter tires and snow chains are required by law during such conditions.
Big cities are usually crowded. Parking is also a problem. The rule is that you will find expensive parking (if any) in the city center and cheaper parking in the outskirts. Park & ride facilities are usually cheap and conveniently located near public transport stations.
The price for petrol is similar to Hungary and Greece, but less than in Germany or Italy.
Seat belts are compulsory for both the front and rear places.
The alcohol limit when driving is 0.5 mg/ ml. You will see Austrians having a glass of beer or wine and then drive. Our recommendation is to avoid driving after drinking, this will keep you safe if you get involved in an accident. You might get heavy fines or even have your license suspended if the alcohol limit is reached.
In case of problems with your car, don't forget to put a warning triangle and to wear a visibility vest, at least on motorways. The vest should be easily available for the driver, this means to have it in the car, not in the trunk.
The lights should be used on all roads, even during the day. The horn is forbidden in most cities.
Priority rules are the same as in most European countries. Vehicles coming from the right and vehicles ascending on a road should be allowed to pass.
EU citizens need only their national driving license. Other drivers need an international driving license.
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