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International Driving Permit: Who Needs One and How
An international driving permit translates your licence and is valid only with it. A US permit costs $20 from AAA, a Great Britain one costs £5.50.
Oct 27, 20268 min read
Driving in Austria
- Currency
- EUR
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic
- Speed limits
- 50 / 100 / 130 km/h
- Alcohol limit
- 0.5 ‰
- Motorway tolls
- a motorway pass plus separate tunnel tolls
- Rental locations
- 12
- Rental offices
- 70
- Rental companies
- 10
Rules of the road
Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 100 km/h on open roads and 130 km/h on motorways. The alcohol limit is 0.5 ‰, and 0.1 ‰ in the first years of driving. Dipped headlights are required at all times.
Tolls and winter tyres
Motorways in Austria need a prepaid pass bought before you drive on them, and a few tunnel and mountain-pass sections are charged separately at a toll station, payable by cash or card — the pass is not needed on those. Winter tyres are compulsory for the posted winter season. Snow chains must be carried where signs require them.
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Top cities in Austria
Rental companies in Austria
Offices come from open map data — not every one can be booked through our search.
Hertz
- Offices
- 9
Sixt
- Offices
- 9
Europcar
- Offices
- 8
Buchbinder
- Offices
- 5
Avis
- Offices
- 4
Budget
- Offices
- 3
Alamo
- Offices
- 1
Enterprise
- Offices
- 1
National
- Offices
- 1
Sicily by Car
- Offices
- 1
Frequently asked questions
Austria: which side of the road do they drive on?
On the right. Speed limits are posted at the roadside and differ between towns, open roads and motorways.
Which currency will I be charged in?
Prices are usually set in EUR. The rental company sets both the price and the deposit, and shows them before you book.
Can I drive the car into another country?
Often yes within the EU, but never assume it. Crossing a border has to be allowed by the rental company and usually costs extra, so check the terms before you book.
What are the speed limits in Austria?
50 km/h in towns, 100 km/h on open roads, 130 km/h on motorways.
Are the motorways tolled?
Motorways need a prepaid pass, and a few tunnel and mountain-pass sections are charged separately at a toll station — the pass is not needed on those. Payment is by cash or card.
Travel guides to read before you book
Best Road Trip Routes in Europe With a Rental Car
Four road trips by rental car: the North Coast 500 (516 miles), Wild Atlantic Way (2,500 km), Ring Road (1,322 km), Romantic Road (460 km per its association).
Nov 2, 20267 min read
Road rules and tollsAustria Vignette and Swiss Vignette for a Rental Car
Austria sells vignettes for 1 day, 10 days, 2 months or a year, from 9.60 euros; Switzerland sells one annual vignette for CHF 40. Ask if your car has one.
Nov 2, 20268 min read
Road rules and tollsToll Roads in Europe With a Rental Car: How to Pay
Toll roads in Europe use three systems: barriers, electronic tolls read from your plate and vignettes. Portugal adds 0.32 euros per trip to some.
Oct 27, 20269 min read