Austria BKF C95 cheat sheet
Austria BKF C95 · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Driving Licence Categories and Vehicle Classification
Category AM covers mopeds up to 45 km/h and light quadricycles; minimum age 15 in Austria.
Category A1: motorcycles up to 125 cm³ and 11 kW; A2: up to 35 kW with power-to-weight ratio max 0.2 kW/kg; A: unrestricted.
Category B: motor vehicles up to 3500 kg GVW with max 8 seats besides the driver; trailer up to 750 kg, or heavier if combined mass ≤ 3500 kg.
Category BE extends B to trailers over 750 kg; combined train mass limit 3500 kg unless BE held.
Category C1: 3500–7500 kg; C: over 3500 kg; D1: buses up to 16 seats; D: buses over 8 seats besides driver.
Category B licence also permits driving tractors up to 25 km/h in Austria under national rules.
Driving licence classes are printed on the credit-card format licence; validity for B is 15 years, photo renewal required.
Vehicle registration document (Zulassungsbescheinigung) states GVW, engine power, and permitted trailer load - decisive for category compliance.
Road Traffic Law and Priority Rules
Right-hand rule: at unmarked intersections, yield to vehicles approaching from the right.
Priority road (Vorrangstraße) sign cancels the right-hand rule; vehicles on it have right of way.
Turning left: yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right.
Trams have priority over other vehicles unless signs indicate otherwise.
Pedestrians on a marked crosswalk (Zebrastreifen) have absolute priority; vehicles must stop if necessary.
Entering a roundabout: yield to traffic already circulating unless signs state otherwise.
Emergency vehicles with blue lights and siren have absolute priority; other traffic must clear the way immediately.
Reversing, entering a road from a driveway, or leaving a parking space: full yield obligation to all other traffic.
Driving Dynamics, Vehicle Technology and Safety Equipment
Stopping distance = reaction distance (speed × reaction time) + braking distance (v² / 2a).
At 50 km/h, reaction distance at 1 s is ~14 m; braking distance on dry asphalt ~12 m; total ~26 m.
Braking distance scales with the square of speed: doubling speed quadruples braking distance.
ABS prevents wheel lock-up and preserves steering control; it does not shorten braking distance on all surfaces.
ESP/ESC detects skidding and applies individual brakes to stabilise the vehicle.
Tyre minimum tread depth in Austria is 1.6 mm; winter tyres required in wintry conditions (1 Nov–15 Apr situational obligation).
Aquaplaning: risk rises above ~80 km/h with worn tyres; release accelerator, do not brake hard, keep steering steady.
Load must be secured; roof load raises centre of gravity and lengthens braking distance.
Driver Fitness, Fatigue, Alcohol and Drugs
Austrian BAC limit for novice and professional drivers is 0.1 mg/l (0.1‰); for other drivers 0.5 mg/l (0.5‰).
Driving under influence of drugs or with BAC above limit is an administrative and criminal offence; licence can be revoked.
Fatigue signs: heavy eyelids, lane drift, missed signs, yawning - stop at a safe place and rest 15–20 minutes.
Caffeine provides temporary relief only; it does not replace sleep.
Medication with drowsiness warnings impairs reaction time similarly to low-dose alcohol.
Minimum vision requirements: 0.5 binocular acuity (with correction allowed); regular eye tests required for older drivers.
Alcohol is metabolised at ~0.1–0.15‰ per hour; no method accelerates this process.
Medical fitness certificate required for C/D categories and for drivers over 60 in certain cases.
Hazard Perception and Defensive Driving
Scan 12–15 seconds ahead; maintain a 360° awareness using mirrors every 5–8 seconds.
Anticipate hazards from parked cars, blind intersections, cyclists, children near schools, and animals near forests.
Two-second rule in dry conditions; four seconds in wet; at least six seconds on ice.
Escape route: always keep an option to stop or swerve if a hazard develops.
Overtaking cyclists: minimum lateral clearance 1.5 m outside built-up areas, 1 m inside.
Do not overtake at pedestrian crossings, blind crests, or unguarded railway crossings.
Wet leaves, gravel, and painted road markings reduce grip; adjust speed before entering curves.
Defensive driving assumes other road users may make mistakes; never rely on right of way without visual confirmation.
Speed Limits, Following Distance and Overtaking
Built-up areas: 50 km/h; residential zones (Wohnstraße) 30 km/h; some areas posted lower.
Open roads: 100 km/h; motorways (Autobahn): 130 km/h; expressways (Schnellstraße): 100 km/h.
Night-time (22:00–05:00) motorway limit in Austria is 110 km/h in designated sections.
Following distance minimum: half the speedometer reading in metres (e.g. 100 km/h → 50 m).
Overtaking: only on the left; right-hand overtaking prohibited except in slow-moving queues or when lane discipline dictates.
Overtaking on motorways requires a speed difference of at least 10 km/h; return to the right lane after overtaking.
Speed limits end at the next intersection unless extended by sign; zone signs apply until cancelled by an end sign.
Towing a trailer: motorway limit 100 km/h if trailer is equipped and approved; otherwise 80 km/h.
Parking, Stopping and Special Traffic Situations
Stopping (Halten) is a short voluntary halt; parking (Parken) is any halt longer than required to board or alight.
No stopping within 5 m of pedestrian crossings, intersections, or bus stops; no parking within 5 m of fire hydrants.
Parking against the direction of traffic is prohibited on two-way roads; on one-way roads, park on the side matching travel direction.
Residents' parking zones (Kurzparkzone) require a permit or paid ticket displayed visibly.
Warning triangle placement: 50 m from vehicle on open roads, 100 m on motorways; hazard lights on.
Tunnels: keep minimum 5 m following distance, headlights on, and listen to radio for instructions.
Level crossings: do not stop on tracks; if vehicle stalls, evacuate and call emergency services immediately.
Winter road closures (Wintersperre) must be respected; mountain passes can close at short notice.
Accidents, Breakdowns, First Aid and Emergency Behaviour
Emergency numbers: 112 (EU-wide), 133 (fire), 144 (ambulance), 133 (police in Austria).
Secure the scene: hazard lights, warning triangle, reflective vest before exiting the vehicle.
First aid priority: stop bleeding, ensure airway, perform CPR (30 compressions : 2 breaths) if unresponsive and not breathing.
Do not move injured persons unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic).
Report accidents with personal injury to police immediately; exchange name, address, insurance and plate details.
European accident report form (Unfallbericht) should be completed and signed by both parties.
Breakdown on motorway: exit vehicle on the side away from traffic and stand behind the guardrail.
Call roadside assistance (ÖAMTC or ARBÖ) using kilometre marker location for rapid response.
Environmental Driving, Fuel Efficiency and Vehicle Maintenance
Eco-driving: shift up at ~2000 rpm (petrol) or ~1800 rpm (diesel); anticipate traffic to avoid braking.
Correct tyre pressure reduces fuel consumption by up to 5%; under-inflation increases wear and rolling resistance.
Removing roof racks and unnecessary load reduces aerodynamic drag and fuel use.
Engine idling wastes fuel; switch off when stationary for more than ~20 seconds.
Regular servicing: oil, filters, brake fluid and coolant checks keep emissions and consumption low.
Cold engine: drive gently for the first few kilometres; do not idle to warm up.
Air conditioning increases fuel consumption by up to 10%; use ventilation when possible.
Austrian emissions sticker (Umweltplakette) required in certain environmental zones.
Documentation, Insurance and Administrative Obligations
Valid driving licence, vehicle registration (Zulassungsbescheinigung) and proof of insurance must be carried.
Motor third-party liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) is mandatory for all motor vehicles.
Insurance sticker (Pickerl) on windscreen shows validity; annual inspection (Begutachtung) required per §57a.
New vehicles: first inspection after 3 years, then every 2 years; older vehicles every year.
Registration must be transferred within 1 month of purchase; deregistration when vehicle is scrapped.
Annual motor insurance premium depends on vehicle class, region, and claims history (Schadenfreiheitsrabatt).
Driving without a valid licence or insurance is a criminal offence with fines and licence suspension.
Vehicle registration card lists owner, GVW, and technical data; changes must be reported to authorities.