ExpresswayAustria

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Austria. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Austria

3. Expressway

An expressway is a road intended to carry through traffic efficiently, usually at higher speeds than ordinary roads. Expressways often have limited access, multiple lanes, separated carriageways or grade-separated junctions, but their design and legal status vary between countries.

An expressway is not always a motorway. It may have intersections, traffic lights or direct access, and the permitted road users, speed limits and special rules depend on local signs and regulations.

Start of an expressway. (Krems an der Donau, Lower Austria, Austria)
Wikimedia.org • GT1976 • CC BY-SA

How do people refer to an expressway in Austria?

The legal road-for-motor-vehicles category is Autostraße. It is identified by its official road-for-motor-vehicles sign and is distinct from an Autobahn. Follow the actual road designation and applicable speed signs.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 47

Start of an expressway.

English • Traffic sign StVO § 53 Z 8c • Road for motor vehicles. The sign indicates the beginning of a road for motor vehicles.

Deutsch • StVO § 53 Z 8c • AUTOSTRASSE. Dieses Zeichen zeigt den Beginn einer Autostraße an.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ris.bka.gv.at • StVO § 53 Z 8c

SVG source: 3247 • Public domain • Original revision 2006-08-27. Wikimedia original unmodified.

End of the expressway.

English • Traffic sign StVO § 53 Z 8d • End of the road for motor vehicles. The sign indicates the end of a road for motor vehicles.

Deutsch • StVO § 53 Z 8d • ENDE DER AUTOSTRASSE. Dieses Zeichen zeigt das Ende einer Autostraße an.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ris.bka.gv.at • StVO § 53 Z 8d

SVG source: 3247 • Public domain • Original revision 2006-08-27. Wikimedia original unmodified.

What speed limit applies to cars on an expressway in Austria?

On a road designated as a road for motor vehicles rather than a motorway, the normal car maximum outside built-up areas is 100 km/h. A motorway-designated section can have a 130 km/h maximum. Follow the actual designation and posted limit.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 47

Who may use an expressway in Austria?

The motorway admission conditions also apply to roads for motor vehicles: normally, the motor vehicle must have a design speed of at least 60 km/h and be legally permitted to exceed 60 km/h. This does not require maintaining that speed in congestion.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 47

Does an Austrian expressway automatically have two carriageways?

No. The road-for-motor-vehicles designation does not itself guarantee separate carriageways or motorway construction. Watch the actual layout and junction signs; the law designates these roads as priority roads.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 47

Motorway

Residential area

1 Austria 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Tunnel 11 Cycling street 12 Pedestrian zone 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Give way to oncoming traffic 24 Railway crossing 25 Mandatory direction 26 Turn prohibition 27 School area 28 Overtaking 29 Crossing animals 30 Wrong-way driving 31 Roadworks 32 Height limit 33 Width limit 34 Weight limit 35 Priority at the next junction 36 Traffic lights 37 Pedestrian lights 38 Speed feedback 39 Driving licence 40 Location marker 41 Traffic mirror 42 Emergency telephone 43 International border 44 Cycling route 45 Parking 46 No parking 47 No stopping 48 Disabled parking 49 Reversing 50 Uncontrolled crossroad 51 Road surface 52 Provisional licence 53 Runaway truck ramp 54 City limit 55 Cyclist crossing 56 Horn 57 Licence plate 58 Charging station 59 Dangers 60 Cyclist 61 Bus 62 Police 63 Ambulance 64 Police signals 65 European emission standard 66 Pothole 67 Private property 68 Path 69 Particulates 70 Air pollution 71 Rush hour 72 Road code 73 Street gutter 74 Cargo bike 75 Forestry vehicle 76 Construction vehicle 77 Semi-trailer truck 78 Trolleybus 79 Speed pedelec 80 Delivery vehicle 81 Idling 82 Tow truck 83 Four-wheel drive 84 No vehicles 85 Bicycle 86 Motorcycle equipment 87 Tram 88 Rail track 89 Caravan 90 Trailer 91 Tow hitch 92 Fire truck 93 Siren 94 Convoy 95 Emergency vehicle lighting 96 Agricultural machinery 97 Electric bicycle 98 Electric vehicle 99 Pedelec 100 Quadricycle ...