Austria has long been a favourite of British holiday makers, offering as it does a wealth of mountainous scenery, delicious food and tasty beer. And as such, the idea of taking a driving holiday with Austria as its focus has become popular among many. As well as ensuring you have your short term European breakdown cover in full effect, there are a number of other important things to bear in mind before you hit the Austrian Autobahn.
Many of the rules of the road observed in the UK are similarly insisted upon by Austrian authorities – such as the obligatory use of seatbelts in both front and rear. But there are a number of rules that you might not aware of. You must, for example, use dipped headlamps at all times of the day (a rule introduced in 2006). It is also compulsory to carry a warning triangle, a first aid kit and a visibility vest in your vehicle too, in common with several other European countries.
If you’re driving in Austria during winter months, you are also required to carry snow chains (a device that provides grip in snowy conditions by being applied to your tyres).
If you plan on driving on Austria’s expressways or motorways – and you will find it hard to get anywhere if you don’t – you will need to purchase a motorway tax sticker (vignette). These stickers, which can be bought in petrol stations in neighbouring countries as well as at AMTC offices, are valid for either one year, two months of 10 days.
But perhaps most important of all is to observe the speed limits. Speed traps are commonly used by the authorities, so it pays to find out what the speed limits are before you arrive in the country – and stick to them.
These are not an exhaustive list of things you should be aware of before you drive through Austria, but further information can easily be found online if required.
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