Austria Car Rental Guide

On this page, you will find information about car rental in Austria and also introduces the main car rental and driving restrictions valid in the country.

Rental Restrictions

To rent a car in Austria, you must be at least 19 years old and have held your license for 1 year. An International Driving License is required for rentals in Austria. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge.

Cars rented in Austria are not allowed into the following countries: Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the former Yugoslavian republics.

Driving Restrictions

In Austria, traffic is on the right and overtaking on the left. The minimum driving age is 18 years. The use of seatbelts is compulsory for all passengers. Children under 12 may only sit in the front if seated in an approved child seat. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5‰.

While driving, headlights must always be on. The use of the horn is only allowed in cases of extreme danger.

Passing on the right is only allowed on one-way streets or when passing trams or a vehicle that is indicating a left turn. You are not allowed to cross a solid yellow centre line. Flash your headlights to indicate you intention to pass.

“Blaue Zone” parking areas are indicated by blue lines on the road and require a parking disc. You do not have to leave the parking lights on if your vehicle is visible from at least 50 metres away. Parking is prohibited within 15 metres of pedestrian crossings and public transportation stops. Do not park where you see a sign “Halten Verboten” and where you see crosses on the road in front of houses.

Emergency Numbers

Police: 133
Ambulance: 144
Fire: 122

Road Tolls

In Austria, motorways and speed roads are subject to tolls. You have to purchase a ticket and display it on the windscreen. If driving without a valid toll label, you are subject to severe fines.

Some useful expressions for tourists visiting Austria

Car Rental Agency-Autovermietung
Road – die Autostrasse

About Austria

Austria is a country full of rich culture and traditions. It has always been famous for its beauty, the snow extending to the villages from the Alps. The land is hilly with lots of pastures and meadows. The architecture of the country is among the most impressive in Europe and the musical traditions are unrivalled.

Vienna, the capital, is the centre of Austria’s musical life. Art and architecture reach perfection in Salzburg. Innsbruck is home to many fascinating historic buildings.

Throughout Austria, music festivals and other events are organised all year round. You will also find a wide range of outdoor activities in the country, from paragliding to skiing.

Population: 8.2 million
Area: 83,858 sq km
Capital City: Vienna
Language: German
Time Zone: GMT + 1 (+2 in summer)
Monetary unit: Euro

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