Traffic rulesAustria

An Austrian driving licence proves that its holder has the legal entitlement to drive the vehicle classes shown on the document.

Austria uses the harmonised EU card-licence format and the EU licence classes.

Driving-licence matters are generally handled by district administrative authorities, municipal authorities in statutory cities and the competent provincial police directorates.

Applications connected with training are normally submitted through the chosen driving school, while replacement and administrative procedures can be handled by the competent driving-licence authority.

Yes. Driving-school training can be completed at any authorised driving school in Austria.

The licensing procedure is then handled by the authority responsible for the district in which that driving school is located.

Yes. Under the ordinary-residence rule, the applicant must normally have lived, or intend to live, in Austria for at least 185 days within a twelve-month period.

Where that period cannot be proven, personal ties to Austria may be relevant under the applicable EU residence rules.

No. A person may normally hold only one EU driving licence at a time.

An existing EU or EEA licence must be taken into account when another EU licence is issued or exchanged.

A private car normally requires category B.

Category B covers qualifying motor vehicles up to 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass and with no more than eight passenger seats in addition to the driver.

The ordinary minimum age for category B is 18 years.

Austria also offers the L17 route, which allows the practical examination and grant of category B from age 17 after the prescribed training.

There is no single fixed total price.

The total depends on the driving school, the number of lessons, medical examination, first-aid training, examination fees, authority charges and whether an examination must be repeated.

Yes. Austrian law does not allow the entire theory and practical training process to be completed without an authorised driving school.

Private accompanied practice can form part of certain approved routes, but prescribed driving-school instruction remains compulsory.

Yes. The application is normally submitted at the driving school together with the required identity and administrative documents.

The driving school forwards the application to the competent authority.

Applicants normally need an official photographic identity document and may provide proof of registration to simplify processing.

A suitable passport-style photograph, medical report and first-aid evidence must be submitted by the relevant stages of the procedure.

Yes. A licence may contain time limits, medical conditions, vehicle adaptations or other codes.

The holder must comply with every restriction and condition recorded on the licence.

Driving-school training may normally begin up to six months before the minimum age for the requested category.

For ordinary category B, this generally means from age 17 years and 6 months.

L17 training can begin from the age of 15 years and 6 months.

The practical category B examination may not be taken before the candidate turns 17.

The theory programme includes at least 20 units of general instruction and 12 category-B-specific units.

Each Austrian driving-school teaching unit lasts 50 minutes.

The standard minimum practical programme consists of 18 units of 50 minutes.

It includes preliminary, basic, main and perfection training, special drives and examination preparation.

The category B programme includes at least one night drive, one motorway drive and one rural-road drive.

These are part of the prescribed perfection training.

Yes. The legal number is a minimum.

Additional lessons may be required until the instructor considers the learner able to drive safely and independently.

Yes. A valid medical report confirming fitness to drive must be available before the theory examination.

The examination must be carried out by an authorised doctor.

Not normally where the doctor has treated you during the previous five years.

Austria applies a rule intended to preserve the independence of the driving-licence medical assessment.

Yes. Applicants must provide evidence of a recognised course in immediate life-saving measures.

For category B, the minimum duration is six hours.

No general validity limit applies to the recognised six-hour life-saving-measures course.

The certificate must still come from an authorised provider.

The certificate must be available no later than admission to the practical-examination list.

Many applicants complete the course earlier through a provider recommended by the driving school.

Yes. A recent passport-style photograph measuring approximately 35 by 45 mm is required.

It must clearly identify the applicant and should meet the applicable passport-photo standards.

Yes. Austria offers L17 accompanied training and the ordinary private-practice route marked with an L.

Both require official approval and compulsory driving-school components.

No. Private practice under the L route is not available for categories A1, A2 or A.

Motorcycle training must be completed through the prescribed professional programme.

The theory examination is a computer-based test taken through the driving school.

The candidate must have completed the prescribed theory training and have a valid medical report.

The theory examination is available in German, English, Croatian and Slovenian.

An approved sign-language format is also available.

Yes. The practical examination may be taken only after the theory examination has been passed.

The candidate must also have reached the minimum age for the requested category.

A passed theory examination remains usable for 18 months.

If the candidate does not proceed to the practical examination within that period, the theory examination must be repeated.

The examination can be terminated or assessed as failed.

Where unauthorised technology and outside assistance are used, the candidate can be barred from another attempt for nine months.

Yes. An interpreter may be used for the practical examination.

The arrangements should be made in advance with the driving school and examining authority.

The examination is taken in a suitable vehicle for the requested category, normally provided through the driving school.

The vehicle must satisfy the legal examination and safety requirements.

The examination assesses vehicle control, observation, compliance with traffic rules, independent decisions and safe interaction with other road users.

The candidate must demonstrate competent driving in real traffic.

Yes. Austrian category B training and assessment include high-speed-road competence.

The exact route depends on local conditions and the examiner.

The licence is normally restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission.

An exception can apply in certain higher-category situations where manual competence has already been demonstrated in category B.

The examiner normally hands over a provisional driving licence and a cost statement.

The permanent card is produced after the required fees are paid.

The Austrian provisional licence is valid for a maximum of four weeks.

It is valid only in Austria and only together with an official photographic identity document.

No. The provisional Austrian licence is valid only within Austria.

The permanent card should be obtained before driving abroad.

Yes. A new examination fee is payable for each attempt.

Driving-school charges and additional preparation lessons may also apply.

L17 is Austria’s category B training route that allows the licence to be obtained from age 17.

It combines driving-school instruction with officially approved accompanied training drives.

The candidate must be at least 15 years and 6 months old.

Parental consent is required where the candidate is a minor and the parent or guardian is not the accompanying person.

A maximum of two accompanying persons may be named in the official approval.

Only those approved persons may supervise the training drives.

The accompanying person must have held category B for at least seven years.

The person must also have driven category B vehicles during the three years immediately before the application.

During the previous three years, the person must not have been punished for a licence-withdrawal offence.

The person must also not have two relevant entries under Austria’s demerit-recording system.

Yes. A particular close relationship with the candidate is required.

The accompanying person may not accept payment for acting in that role.

The official approval is valid for a maximum of 18 months and can be issued only once.

Training drives may begin only after the approval has been granted.

The learner must complete at least 3,000 km of accompanied training.

Every journey must be entered truthfully in the official log and signed by both the learner and accompanying person.

L17 training drives may take place only within Austria.

There is no general restriction limiting the drives to particular Austrian roads or regions.

The learner must carry the official approval and an official photographic identity document.

The accompanying person must carry a valid driving licence.

The accompanying person must sit beside the learner in the front passenger seat.

Other passengers are permitted up to the seating capacity shown in the vehicle registration document.

Both the learner and the accompanying person are subject to a limit of 0.1 per mille.

The safest approach is to avoid alcohol completely before any training drive.

Yes. Towing a trailer is permitted during L17 training drives when the vehicle, trailer and licence-training conditions are satisfied.

The technical towing limits must also be respected.

Yes. Accompanied drives are supported by mandatory driving-school sessions during and after the 3,000 km programme.

All required training must be completed before admission to the practical examination.

The learner must have reached age 17, completed all required driving-school training and at least 3,000 km of accompanied driving, and hold a valid medical report.

The theory examination must also still be valid.

The L route allows approved private practice with an eligible accompanying person as part of the driving-licence training.

It does not replace all driving-school instruction.

For category B, the learner must normally be at least 17 years and 6 months old.

The learner must first complete the prescribed preliminary and basic driving-school training.

The preliminary programme includes eight theory units and six practical units of 50 minutes.

The learner and accompanying person must also attend one theory unit explaining how the practice drives are to be conducted.

A further six practical driving-school units are required after the private practice phase.

Observation, perfection training and examination preparation complete the programme.

The learner must complete at least 1,000 km of approved private practice.

Every journey must be entered in a truthful log signed by the learner and accompanying person.

A maximum of two accompanying persons may be included in the official approval.

The approval is valid for no more than 18 months and can be issued only once.

The person must have held the relevant licence category for at least seven years and have recent driving experience in that category during the previous three years.

The person must meet the traffic-record and close-relationship requirements and may not accept payment.

Private practice drives may take place only within Austria.

The approval, the learner’s identity document and the accompanying person’s licence must be carried.

Both learner and accompanying person are subject to a limit of 0.1 per mille.

Driving should be avoided completely after consuming alcohol.

Yes. Passengers are permitted up to the approved seating capacity of the vehicle.

The authorised accompanying person must sit next to the learner.

Yes. A trailer may be towed when the vehicle combination and training conditions permit it.

All technical and road-traffic requirements continue to apply.

The learner completes an observation drive with a driving instructor and the accompanying person.

The remaining perfection training and examination preparation are then completed through the driving school.

A first driving licence is normally a probationary licence for three years.

Special provisions can affect the end date for drivers who obtained category B through L17.

The limit is 0.1 per mille rather than the ordinary 0.5-per-mille limit.

A violation can trigger remedial training and extension of the probationary period.

A breach of the 0.1-per-mille rule or another serious traffic offence can lead to compulsory remedial training.

Examples include serious speeding, priority violations and other conduct listed by law.

An order for remedial training normally extends the probationary period by one year.

If the original period has already ended before the order is issued, a new one-year probationary period begins.

Yes. The extension or new probationary period is recorded on the licence.

This normally requires issue of a new card document.

Multi-phase training is the compulsory second training stage after first obtaining category A or B.

It combines follow-up drives, road-safety training and psychological risk discussion.

Yes. Age does not remove the requirement.

The modules must be completed within the statutory periods after the licence is granted.

Ordinary category B requires a first perfection drive, road-safety training with a traffic-psychology component, and a second perfection drive.

The modules are completed during the first year after licensing.

It must normally be completed between two and four months after the licence is granted.

The drive is conducted with a driving instructor.

The road-safety training with the traffic-psychology component must be completed between three and nine months after licensing.

It includes practical hazard-management exercises.

It must normally be completed between six and twelve months after the licence is granted.

A major focus is environmentally responsible and fuel-efficient driving.

An L17 licence holder completes the road-safety training between three and nine months after licensing and one perfection drive between six and twelve months.

The ordinary first perfection drive is not repeated because the L17 route already includes additional pre-test training.

The instructor evaluates observation, defensive driving, interaction with other road users and environmentally responsible driving.

The driver receives professional feedback during a practical drive and follow-up discussion.

The category B road-safety course comprises six teaching units: one theory unit and five practical units.

A traffic-psychology group discussion of two 50-minute units takes place on the same day.

A reminder is issued and a four-month additional period is normally granted.

Continued failure can lead to a further official extension and ultimately withdrawal of the licence until the modules are completed.

Category B covers motor vehicles with no more than eight passenger seats in addition to the driver and a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3,500 kg.

It includes ordinary cars, many vans and qualifying motorhomes.

Yes. Category AM is entered with category B.

This permits qualifying mopeds and light four-wheeled vehicles within the AM limits.

Yes, in Austria. Three-wheeled motor vehicles may be driven with category B from age 21.

This is a national entitlement and may not be recognised abroad.

Category B permits a trailer with a maximum authorised mass of no more than 750 kg.

The vehicle’s own towing limits must also be respected.

Yes, when the combined maximum authorised mass of towing vehicle and trailer does not exceed 3,500 kg.

A heavier combination requires code 96 or category BE.

Code 96 permits a category B vehicle with a trailer heavier than 750 kg where the combination exceeds 3,500 kg but does not exceed 4,250 kg.

It is entered after prescribed training.

No. Code 96 requires a total of seven theory and practical training units, but no separate official examination.

The driving school certifies completion for entry by the authority.

Category BE permits a category B towing vehicle with a trailer or semi-trailer whose maximum authorised mass does not exceed 3,500 kg.

The vehicle approval and technical combination limits remain applicable.

Yes. Prescribed category-specific theory and practical training must be completed.

An official practical examination is required.

Code 111 is an Austrian national extension allowing an eligible category B holder to ride category A1 motorcycles in Austria.

It applies only after the code has been entered on the licence.

The applicant must have held a valid category B licence continuously for at least five years and no longer be in the probationary period.

The required practical motorcycle training must also be completed.

No. It is an Austrian national entitlement.

Some countries recognise it through separate arrangements, but the destination country’s rules must be checked before riding abroad.

Yes, within Austria, when the driver has held category B continuously for at least two years and all statutory vehicle conditions are met.

The extra mass must result from the alternative propulsion system, the vehicle must carry goods and no trailer may be attached.

Not under the ordinary category B rule.

A heavier motorhome normally requires category C1 or C unless it falls within a specific statutory exception.

No. The registration and approval documents can impose lower towing, train-mass or coupling limits.

Both the driving-licence entitlement and the technical limits must be satisfied.

Category AM covers qualifying mopeds and light four-wheeled vehicles within the statutory speed and construction limits.

The normal minimum age is 15 years.

The programme includes six theory units and a theory examination, at least six practical units on a training area and two practical units in public traffic.

The total practical programme must contain at least eight units.

Applicants under age 16 need the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

An applicant seeking AM from age 20 must normally provide a medical report.

A limit of 0.1 per mille applies.

The safest approach is to avoid alcohol completely before riding.

Category A1 covers motorcycles up to 125 cm³, no more than 11 kW and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg.

The minimum age is 16 years.

Category A2 covers motorcycles up to 35 kW and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg, subject to the statutory restriction on the original power of the motorcycle.

The minimum age is 18 years.

Category A covers motorcycles without the A1 or A2 power limits and qualifying three-wheeled motor vehicles.

Direct access is normally from age 24.

Yes. A person who has held category A2 for at least two years may obtain category A from age 20 after satisfying the applicable progression requirements.

The examination and training route depends on the existing entitlement.

Yes. New A1, A2 and A holders must complete motorcycle road-safety, traffic-psychology, hazard-awareness and perfection modules within the prescribed periods.

These motorcycle modules are separate from category B modules.

Category C1 covers qualifying motor vehicles above 3,500 kg and up to 7,500 kg, excluding passenger vehicles in D1 or D.

A light trailer up to 750 kg may be towed.

Category C covers qualifying goods and special motor vehicles above 3,500 kg without the C1 upper limit.

A light trailer up to 750 kg may be towed; a heavier trailer requires CE.

Category D1 covers passenger vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and a maximum length of eight metres.

A light trailer up to 750 kg may be towed.

Category D covers motor vehicles designed for more than eight passengers in addition to the driver.

A heavier trailer requires category DE.

Category F is a national class for specified tractors, motor carts, self-propelled machinery and special motor vehicles within the statutory construction-speed limits.

The ordinary minimum age is 18, with a restricted agricultural route available from age 16.

Categories C, C1, D and D1 are generally valid for five years for holders under 60 and two years from age 60.

Each renewal requires a medical report.

A category D applicant must complete a traffic-psychology screening in addition to the medical examination.

A recognised 16-hour first-aid course is required for category D and DE.

Card driving licences issued from 19 January 2013 are administratively valid for 15 years.

For ordinary categories such as B, this expiry normally concerns the document rather than the underlying driving entitlement.

No, not normally. Renewal of the 15-year card document does not generally require a medical examination or another driving test.

Medical evidence can still be required where the authority has specific doubts about fitness to drive.

Yes. Paper and card licences issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged no later than 19 January 2033.

They remain valid until then if no earlier limit applies, the information is legible and the holder can still be identified from the photograph.

No. Existing driving rights are normally transferred to the new card under the applicable acquired-rights rules.

Codes may be entered to preserve older national entitlements.

Yes, unless a valid Austrian digital licence is being used within Austria.

Failing to produce the required evidence during a traffic check can result in a fine.

The digital driving licence is an official electronic version displayed through the eAusweise application.

It can be presented during traffic checks in Austria instead of the physical Austrian card licence.

The holder needs a valid Austrian card driving licence, an appropriately configured ID Austria and the eAusweise application.

The licence is loaded into eAusweise through the identity-verification process.

No. It is currently valid only within Austria.

The physical card must be carried when driving abroad.

No active internet connection is normally required when presenting the digital licence during a check.

The application generates a short-lived QR code for verification.

A newly generated QR code is valid for approximately 15 minutes.

A new code is created each time the holder chooses to present the licence.

Only to a limited extent.

Its main purpose is proving the driving entitlement, and it may not be accepted everywhere as a full identity document.

Report the loss or theft to the police or driving-licence authority and apply for a duplicate.

A photographic identity document, loss or theft report and a new passport-style photograph are normally required.

Apply for a duplicate through a competent driving-licence authority.

The damaged licence, identity document and a suitable photograph are normally required.

An Austrian representation abroad can forward an application, but Austrian licences are produced and replaced through the Austrian system.

The representation itself does not issue the driving licence.

A replacement may be requested so that the licence matches current official identity records.

Evidence of the name change and the old licence are normally required.

Yes. A valid EU or EEA driving licence is recognised in Austria.

It does not normally have to be exchanged, although voluntary exchange is possible.

Categories C, C1, D and D1 remain valid until the expiry set by the issuing state, but for no more than five years after residence is moved to Austria unless exchanged.

Austrian renewal and medical rules then apply.

It is generally recognised for six months after establishing residence in Austria.

After that period, it must be exchanged before the holder continues driving.

Yes. Only a valid foreign licence can normally be exchanged.

An expiry under the law of the issuing country is also respected in Austria.

Yes. A practical examination is generally required.

Austria exempts licences from certain listed countries and, for some countries, only category B from this requirement.

The current exemption list includes Albania, Andorra, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Kosovo, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Switzerland, Serbia and the United Kingdom.

The licence must still be valid and all other exchange requirements must be met.

The current category B list includes Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hong Kong, Israel, Canada, New Zealand, North Macedonia, South Africa, South Korea, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

The authority checks the current legal list when processing the application.

Yes. A medical report is normally part of the exchange documents.

The authority can request additional evidence in an individual case.

A licence not written in German is valid only together with an international driving permit or an accepted translation.

The exchange authority may also request a translation.

The foreign document must normally be surrendered when the Austrian licence is handed over.

The further handling of that document depends on the issuing state and applicable rules.

The applicant must generally prove at least six months of residence in the country where the foreign licence was obtained.

This requirement helps prevent obtaining a licence abroad without genuine residence.

Yes. A valid Austrian EU licence is generally recognised throughout the EU and EEA.

National rules on renewal, medical checks and sanctions may apply after residence is moved.

Certain non-EEA countries require or recommend an international driving permit in addition to the Austrian licence.

The destination-country requirements should be checked before travel.

No. It is valid only together with the corresponding national driving licence.

An Austrian international driving permit is generally valid for one year.

Recognition of temporary documents is not harmonised and the Austrian provisional licence is expressly valid only in Austria.

The permanent card should be used abroad.

The ordinary limit is below 0.5 per mille blood alcohol, corresponding to 0.25 mg/l breath alcohol.

Lower limits apply to probationary drivers and certain licence categories.

The lower limit applies during the probationary period, during L17 and L practice, to category C and D driving, and in other situations specified by law.

It also applies to certain young AM and F drivers.

Yes. A driver can still face consequences where alcohol causes unsafe driving, an accident or another offence.

The safest rule is not to drink before driving.

Yes. Driving while impaired by illegal drugs, prescribed medicines or other substances is prohibited.

A lawful prescription does not permit driving when reaction, judgement or coordination is impaired.

Read the medicine information, follow medical advice and do not drive while affected.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist where the effect on driving is uncertain.

Yes. Where justified doubts arise, the authority can obtain an official medical assessment.

The licence may be restricted, time-limited or withdrawn if the person is no longer sufficiently fit to drive.

Yes. Codes can require glasses or contact lenses.

The driver must comply with the recorded condition whenever driving.

Yes. Codes may require specific controls, transmission types or other adaptations.

Only a vehicle satisfying those recorded requirements may be driven.

An automatic-only restriction is normally entered for that class.

The restriction can be removed only through the legally required manual-vehicle procedure.

Yes. Although ordinary category B is normally not periodically renewed as an entitlement, an individual medical decision may impose a shorter validity period.

The holder must complete the required reassessment before that period ends.

No. The decision depends on the person’s overall ability to drive safely.

The authority may request specialist evidence or impose appropriate conditions.

Yes. A person must not drive when illness, injury, medication or another condition makes safe control doubtful.

Medical advice should be obtained before driving is resumed.

Austria uses a demerit-recording system rather than a simple points balance.

Fourteen specified risk offences can produce entries, prescribed corrective measures and eventual withdrawal.

Yes. It applies to all drivers in Austria regardless of residence.

A foreign driver can receive an Austrian driving ban after repeated demerit offences.

The offence is entered in the driving-licence register for a two-year observation period.

The separate monetary penalty must also be paid.

A second qualifying offence within the observation period leads to a prescribed corrective measure.

Depending on the offence, this can include remedial training, a perfection drive, road-safety training or a specialised course.

A third qualifying offence within the relevant period leads to withdrawal of the licence for at least three months.

A foreign driver receives a corresponding driving ban in Austria.

The first entry is normally considered for two years.

If another demerit offence occurs during that period, the observation period for the first entry is extended to three years.

The licence is withdrawn until the person complies with the order.

The licence holder must pay the cost of the required measure.

Yes. If a separate licence-withdrawal offence is committed while demerit entries exist, the withdrawal period is extended by two weeks for each relevant entry.

The monetary and other sanctions also remain applicable.

It is a serious offence for which the law provides direct withdrawal rather than only a demerit entry.

Examples include serious alcohol offences, extreme speeding, driving against motorway traffic and particularly dangerous driving.

Yes. Serious speeding above the statutory thresholds can lead to substantial fines, withdrawal and remedial measures.

The period depends on the amount of excess speed, how it was established and whether there are previous offences.

Yes. It is treated as a serious withdrawal offence.

A minimum withdrawal period and compulsory remedial training can apply.

Yes. Failing to stop or provide or summon required assistance after causing an injury collision can lead to licence withdrawal.

Criminal and administrative consequences may also apply.

Yes. A following interval below the statutory extreme threshold can produce a minimum withdrawal period and remedial training.

Ordinary unsafe following distances can also be punished.

For a withdrawal of no more than 18 months, the existing licence document may be returned after the period and requirements are completed.

If the withdrawal lasts more than 18 months, the entitlement expires and a new grant must be applied for.

A medical report is required and must be sufficiently recent at the time of the authority’s decision.

Depending on the reason and elapsed period, practical testing, remedial training or psychological assessment may also be required.

This page was last reviewed on 4 August 2026.

This page was compiled using information published by official Austrian federal authorities and current Austrian driving-licence legislation.

The principal sources were the Austrian government portal, the Driving Licence Act and its implementing regulations.

The official information was reorganised and rewritten into a concise question-and-answer format. AI-assisted tools were used to help research, structure and draft the content.

The information was then reviewed against the official sources listed below.

Driving-licence rules, examination procedures, fees, digital services and administrative requirements can change.

Always confirm important requirements with the chosen driving school or competent Austrian driving-licence authority before applying, booking an examination or making a payment.

Principal official sources

• Austria: general information on obtaining a driving licence
• Austria: driving-school training and minimum lesson requirements
• Austria: theory and practical driving examinations
• Austria: first-aid requirements
• Austria: L17 accompanied driving
• Austria: private practice drives marked with an L
• Austria: probationary driving licence
• Austria: multi-phase training
• Austria: licence categories and vehicle entitlements
• Austria: card driving licence and validity
• Austria: digital driving licence
• Austria: exchange of foreign driving licences
• Austria: alcohol while driving
• Austria: demerit-recording system
• Austria: licence-withdrawal offences

This website is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with an Austrian government authority, driving school or examination provider.

The information is provided for general guidance and does not replace official instructions or legislation.