Austria Theory D key terms

A road marked with priority signs where traffic generally has the right of way over vehicles joining from side roads, unless signals or a police officer direct otherwise.

A road whose traffic must yield to vehicles on the priority road; the obligation is shown by yield or stop signs at the junction or by the priority-road sign on the other road.

The default rule at junctions without signs or signals: you must give way to vehicles approaching from your right, and to trams regardless of the side they come from.

An octagonal red sign requiring a complete stop at the marked line before entering the junction, followed by yielding to all traffic on the crossing road.

An inverted triangle sign meaning you must let crossing and joining traffic pass before you enter or cross the road, slowing down or stopping as needed.

A round junction where traffic already circulating has priority unless signs state otherwise; you signal right on exit and yield on entry.

A marked pedestrian crossing where pedestrians have priority once they show an intention to cross; you must approach at reduced speed and stop if necessary.

White stripes on the road marking a pedestrian crossing; parking or stopping on it is prohibited, and you must not overtake a vehicle stopped there.

The legal term for a crossing place for pedestrians, which may be marked by stripes or signs; drivers must allow pedestrians to cross safely.

A restriction shown by a sign or road marking where you may stop briefly but not park; stopping can also be banned entirely in marked zones.

A zone where leaving the vehicle standing for longer than a short stop is forbidden, often marked by a sign with diagonal bars or yellow lines.

An area where stopping and parking are both prohibited, indicated by a zone sign with the restriction applying to all streets inside the marked area.

The speed considered appropriate for a road under good conditions; on Austrian motorways it is 130 km/h, and exceeding it is not automatically an offence but may affect liability.

The maximum speed legally permitted on a given road or section, set by general rules, signs, or vehicle category, and never to be exceeded.

A place-name sign marking the start or end of a built-up area; inside it, the general limit of 50 km/h applies unless other signs set a different speed.

A road outside built-up areas, where the general speed limit is 100 km/h unless signs or the road type set a lower or higher figure.

A dual-carriageway road with separated directions and no at-grade junctions, where the general limit is 130 km/h and special rules on stopping, reversing, and entering apply.

The hard shoulder of a motorway, reserved for emergencies and breakdowns; driving, stopping, or parking on it for other reasons is prohibited.

The distance kept from the vehicle ahead, often estimated with the two-second rule in good conditions and increased in rain, darkness, or when following large vehicles.

The distance a vehicle travels during the driver's reaction time before braking begins, roughly three metres per 10 km/h at one second of reaction time.

The distance needed to stop after braking starts; it grows with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples the braking distance on the same surface.

The total stopping distance, the sum of the reaction distance and the braking distance, which drivers must keep clear ahead to stop safely before an obstacle.

Signalling with direction indicators before turning, changing lanes, or leaving a roundabout, giving other road users timely warning of the intended manoeuvre.

Changing from one lane to another, which requires checking mirrors and blind spots, signalling in good time, and giving way to traffic already in the target lane.

The area around a vehicle that the driver cannot see in the mirrors, especially large on lorries and buses, where other road users may be hidden.

A quick look over the shoulder before changing lanes, turning, or opening a door, to check the blind spot not covered by the mirrors.

Driving under the influence of alcohol; in Austria the limit for novice and professional drivers is stricter than for experienced drivers, and penalties include licence loss.

The physical and mental fitness required to drive safely, affected by alcohol, drugs, illness, fatigue, or medication that impairs concentration or reaction.

The time spent actually driving a vehicle in commercial transport, which is limited by law and must be recorded, with breaks required after set periods.

The uninterrupted period during which a professional driver does not drive or perform other work, required daily and weekly to prevent fatigue.

A warning triangle carried in every vehicle and placed behind a broken-down vehicle to warn approaching traffic, at a greater distance on fast roads.

A high-visibility vest that must be worn when leaving a vehicle stopped in a hazardous position on the road, making the wearer easier to see.

Immediate basic assistance at an accident scene: securing the site, calling emergency services, and giving aid such as stopping bleeding or the recovery position.

The free corridor formed between lanes on multi-lane roads when traffic queues, so emergency vehicles can reach an accident scene quickly.

The emergency call to the rescue services, giving the location, number of injured people, type of incident, and waiting for instructions before ending the call.

An event on a public road involving injury or damage; those involved must stop, secure the scene, help injured persons, and exchange details.

The tread pattern and its depth, which must meet the legal minimum to grip the road and clear water; worn tyres lengthen braking distance and raise aquaplaning risk.

Loss of tyre contact with the road when water builds up under the wheels; you should ease off the accelerator, avoid sudden braking, and keep the steering steady.

An anti-lock braking system that prevents wheels from locking during hard braking, keeping the vehicle steerable while braking at maximum effect.

An electronic stability programme that detects skidding and brakes individual wheels to help keep the vehicle on its intended course.

The vehicle's lights, including low beam, high beam, fog lights, and rear lights, which must be used correctly and kept clean and working.

High beam used on unlit roads when no other traffic is affected; it must be dipped when vehicles approach or when following closely.

A bright rear fog light used only when visibility is seriously reduced by fog, and switched off otherwise to avoid dazzling following drivers.