Austria Theory A cheat sheet

Austrian road traffic law is anchored in the StVO; the general duty of care requires every driver to behave so that no person is endangered, obstructed or unnecessarily annoyed.

Right-hand traffic applies: drive on the right half of the carriageway; the left side is used only for overtaking, turning left, or when lanes are marked otherwise.

Safety distance rule of thumb: at least half the speedometer value in metres (50 km/h → 25 m); at 100 km/h at least 50 m, and the two-second rule is a usable minimum at low speeds.

Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, on blind crests and bends, at railway crossings without barriers, and wherever visibility or signage forbids it; overtaking on the right is generally not allowed.

Stopping means any voluntary halt up to three minutes; parking is any halt longer than that or any halt where the driver leaves the vehicle unattended.

Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants; children under 14 years and under 150 cm must use an approved child restraint suited to their size and weight.

Alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l blood alcohol (0.05 % BAC) for all drivers, 0.1 g/l for novice drivers in their first two years and for professional drivers; refusal to test carries severe penalties.

Emergency corridor (Rettungsgasse) must be formed between the two leftmost lanes as soon as traffic slows to walking pace or stops on multi-lane roads and motorways.

Unmarked intersections: right-before-left (Rechtsregel) applies; the vehicle coming from the right has priority unless signs or signals state otherwise.

Priority signs override the right-hand rule: 'Vorfahrt geben' (yield, inverted triangle) obliges you to give way; 'Vorfahrtstraße' (priority road, yellow diamond) grants priority at all following intersections until cancelled.

At a 'Halt' sign you must stop completely at the stop line or, if none, where you can see into the crossing road, then yield to all cross traffic.

Turning left: yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road you enter; turning right: yield to pedestrians and cyclists continuing straight or crossing the side road.

Roundabouts marked with yield signs: entering traffic yields to circulating traffic; indicate right only when leaving, and indicate left only if the roundabout has more than one lane and you change lanes.

Direction indicators must be used in good time before turning, changing lanes, overtaking, pulling out and pulling in; they must not be used merely to announce an intention you cannot legally carry out.

Road markings: solid white lines may not be crossed; broken lines may be crossed when safe; a solid line on your side of a broken line combination forbids crossing from your direction.

Zebra crossings grant pedestrians absolute priority once they have stepped onto or clearly signalled intent to use the crossing; vehicles must stop and may not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

Tyre minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm across the main grooves for cars; winter tyres are required in wintry conditions (snow, slush, ice) between 1 November and 15 April in practice, with M+S or 3PMSF marking.

Braking physics: braking distance grows with the square of speed (double speed = four times the distance); total stopping distance = reaction distance (speed/10 × 3) plus braking distance.

Motorcycle countersteering: to initiate a lean, push the handlebar on the side you want to turn toward; the bike leans and the turn follows, which is essential above roughly 20 km/h.

On a motorcycle, both brakes should be applied together; the front brake provides the majority of braking force because weight transfers forward, but over-braking the front on slippery ground causes a front-wheel lock and a fall.

Cornering on a motorcycle: slow in, look through the bend, and accelerate gently out; braking while leaned over reduces tyre grip and stands the bike up.

A helmet is compulsory for motorcyclists and moped riders; protective clothing, gloves, boots and eye protection are strongly recommended and reduce injury severity.

Chain maintenance: check slack (typically 2–3 cm), lubrication and sprocket wear regularly; a worn or over-tight chain can lock the rear wheel or cause a crash.

Load rules: cargo must be secured and must not obstruct lights, plates or the driver's view; roof loads change the centre of gravity and increase braking distance.

Sign categories: danger signs (red triangle), regulatory signs (red circle = prohibition, blue circle = mandatory), information signs (blue rectangle), and priority signs (yellow diamond, inverted triangle).

Danger signs generally stand 150–250 m before the hazard outside built-up areas and about 50–100 m inside built-up areas.

Speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 100 km/h on rural roads, 130 km/h on motorways; signage and section-specific limits override these defaults.

Driving licence categories: AM (mopeds up to 45 km/h), A1 (125 cc, 11 kW from 16), A2 (35 kW from 18), A (unrestricted from 24, or 20 with two years of A2 experience).

Novice drivers face a probation period of two years (or until 21) with a stricter 0.1 g/l alcohol limit and participation in a second-phase training programme.

Austria's points system (Vormerksystem) records certain serious offences; reaching 3 points triggers a mandatory driving-psychology course or a driver-improvement seminar, and repeated offences can lead to licence withdrawal.

Driving without a valid licence, driving under the influence, and hit-and-run are criminal or administrative offences carrying heavy fines, licence withdrawal and, in serious cases, imprisonment.

Registration and inspection: vehicles require periodic 'Pickerl' inspection (typically every two years for cars, annually for motorcycles after the first inspection), and driving without a valid inspection sticker is an offence.

Pedestrians have priority at zebra crossings and when crossing side roads at junctions; drivers must approach crossings at a speed that allows stopping.

On motorways, stopping and parking are prohibited except on marked emergency bays; reversing, U-turns and driving on the hard shoulder are forbidden.

Motorway breakdown procedure: pull onto the hard shoulder, switch on hazard lights, put on a high-visibility vest before leaving the car, place the warning triangle at least 100 m behind, and wait behind the barrier.

Trams have priority; you must not obstruct tram tracks, and overtaking a tram stopped at a stop is only permitted at walking speed with care for passengers.

Blue-zone parking requires a valid parking disc or permit; disc parking typically allows a limited stay and the disc must show the arrival time.

Buses leaving a stop within built-up areas must be allowed to pull out; drivers should reduce speed and, if necessary, stop.

At level crossings with red flashing lights, barriers or a stop sign, you must stop; never enter a crossing if the exit is blocked.

Following distance, speed and lane choice must always be adapted to visibility, road condition and traffic density; the general rule is to drive no faster than you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

Traffic lights override priority signs; a green arrow permits turning only in that direction while giving way to other traffic where required.

Flashing amber at a traffic light means the signal is out of order; the priority signs or the right-before-left rule then apply.

A police officer's signals override traffic lights and signs; the raised arm or the direction of the officer's body indicates who may proceed.

At an intersection where a priority road ends (yellow diamond with a cancellation bar), the right-before-left rule resumes unless another sign states otherwise.

Lane-change markings: a broken line permits changing lanes when safe; a solid line on your side forbids it; chevron areas and hatched markings must not be driven over.

Indicating when leaving a roundabout: signal right after passing the exit before yours, so following drivers understand your intention.

A 'no stopping' sign (blue circle with red cross) forbids both stopping and parking; a 'no parking' sign (blue circle with one red diagonal) allows brief stopping to pick up or set down.

At pedestrian crossings with traffic lights, the pedestrian signal governs; a flashing green pedestrian light means the phase is ending and pedestrians should not start crossing.

ABS prevents wheel lock during hard braking; keep firm, continuous brake pressure and do not pump the lever or pedal.

ESC (electronic stability control) reduces skidding risk; it cannot override physical limits, so speed must still suit the conditions.

Tyre pressure should be checked cold and adjusted for load; under-inflation increases fuel consumption, heat build-up and the risk of a blowout.

Motorcycle riding gear: a properly fastened helmet, abrasion-resistant jacket and trousers, gloves and boots protect against road rash and impact; visibility aids such as reflective material help.

Group riding on motorcycles uses a staggered formation; keep a safe gap to the rider ahead and never ride side by side in a single lane.

Cornering line: enter wide, apex near the inside, exit wide, but stay within your lane; on blind bends stay to the outside for better sight lines.

Winter equipment: snow chains may be fitted only where conditions require and must be removed when the road is clear; they are not permitted on motorways except where signed.

Before each ride, check tyres, brakes, lights, chain and fluid levels; a pre-ride check prevents most mechanical breakdowns and improves safety.

A 'Halt' sign (octagon) and a stop line require a full stop; failure to stop is a serious offence with points and fines.

Speed cameras and section control enforce limits; fines rise with the amount over the limit, and very high excess speeds can lead to licence withdrawal.

The probation period for novice drivers ends after two years; during this time, serious offences can trigger a mandatory refresher course or licence withdrawal.

Points (Vormerkungen) are recorded for offences such as drink-driving, red-light running, excessive speed and tailgating; points expire after a set period if no further offences occur.

Driving licence categories for cars: B (up to 3,500 kg and 8 seats) from 18; B96 and BE extend trailer weights.

Medical fitness and eyesight requirements apply to all licence holders; a medical certificate is required for certain categories and after serious illness or injury.

Vehicle registration documents (Zulassungsschein) and proof of insurance must be carried; driving an unregistered or uninsured vehicle is an offence.

Insurance: third-party liability insurance is compulsory; without valid cover, the vehicle may not be used on public roads.

Speed must always be reduced near schools, hospitals, pedestrian zones and roadworks, and where visibility is limited by weather or darkness.

At night or in poor visibility, use dipped headlights; full beam must be dimmed when meeting oncoming traffic or following another vehicle closely.

Horn use is restricted to warning of danger; it must not be used in built-up areas at night except in an emergency.

Animals on the road: reduce speed, be prepared to stop, and do not sound the horn near horses; pass wide and slowly.

Accident procedure: secure the scene, switch on hazard lights, place the warning triangle, call emergency services (112 or 133), give first aid and exchange details.

Motorway lane discipline: keep right except when overtaking; the left lane is for overtaking only and must be vacated when the manoeuvre is complete.

Tunnel rules: switch on dipped headlights, keep a safe distance, do not stop, and follow the posted speed and distance instructions.

Environmental zones and driving bans may apply in certain areas; signs indicate restrictions, and violating them results in fines.

At a junction with a 'yield' sign, you must give way to traffic on the priority road; if the priority road is not marked, the right-before-left rule applies.

A 'priority road' sign (yellow diamond) grants priority at all following intersections; a cancellation sign ends it.

Turning across a cycle path or pedestrian crossing: give way to cyclists and pedestrians, and check mirrors and blind spots before turning.

Lane arrows at junctions indicate the permitted direction; choosing the wrong lane and changing late can cause collisions and is an offence.

Traffic island markings: a solid white line around an island may not be crossed; a broken line may be crossed when safe.

Bus lane markings: only buses and authorised vehicles may use them during posted times; other vehicles may cross to turn where permitted.

At a junction controlled by a police officer, the officer's signals override lights and signs; follow the direction indicated by the officer's arm.

Pedestrian crossing with a central island: each half is treated separately; vehicles must stop for pedestrians on the half they are approaching.