Road rules and safety - Austria

Which rule are you interested in?

Alcohol limits
Forbidden lane
Influence of drugs
Mobile telephone
Other specific rules
Safety helmet
Seat belts
Speed limits
Traffic lights

0,1 mg/ml Professional drivers
0,1 mg/ml Novice drivers (less than 3 years' driving experience)
< 0,5 mg/ml Standard drivers (from 0.8 mg/ml, withdrawal of driving licence)

Reserved lanes may be used only by public transport services e.g. buses.

There are also other types of lanes to which access is restricted.

Forbidden drugs

It is forbidden to drive whilst under the influence of any type of drug that impairs performance. There are no rules concerning specific type of drugs.

	Drivers may use their mobile phone with a hand-free set
	Drivers may not use their mobile phone without a hand-free set

	Headlamp is mandatory even during daylight hours, but only for motorcycles and mopeds
	Safety equipment for carsFirst-aid kit Warning triangle Reflective jacket vest
	Mandatory use of winter tyres Mandatory use of winter tyres for vehicles above 3.5 tonnes (trucks between 1 November and 15 April, buses between 1 November and 1 March). For vehicles below 3.5 tonnes, winter tyres are only mandatory if the road is covered with snow or ice.

	Bicycles(Only for children up to 12 years.)
	Motorcycles with/without a sidecar
	Light and heavy tricycles
	Light and heavy quadricycles
	Mopeds

The use of seat belts and child restraint systems is MANDATORY (Directive 91/671/EEC as amended).

Seat belts are not compulsory for:

drivers while reversing or parking
People who cannot use seat belts because of their size or those with disabilities.
drivers of emergency or official vehicles
taxi driver on duty
regular services below 100 km
seriously physically disabled children, if transported in the back seat
children transported in ambulances or public safety vehicles, if sitting in the back seat.
children transported in taxis, if sitting in the back seat
Passengers in buses leaving the seat for a short time.