MotorwayAustria

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

2. Motorway

A motorway is a road specially designed and signposted for motor traffic. Motorways normally have separate carriageways for opposing traffic, controlled access through designated entrances and exits, no direct access to neighbouring properties, and no level crossings with other roads, railways or paths.

Special traffic rules apply on motorways. The permitted road users, speed limits, lane rules, tolls and emergency procedures vary between countries, so drivers must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.

Dornbirn-Süd exit on motorway A14. (Dornbirn, Austria)
Wikimedia.org • Robot8A • CC BY-SA

How do people refer to a motorway in Austria?

The official German term is Autobahn. An Autostraße is a separate road category for motor vehicles; do not assume it has the same speed limit as a motorway.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 46

Start of a motorway.

English • Traffic sign StVO § 53 Z 8a • Motorway. The sign indicates the beginning of a motorway.

Deutsch • StVO § 53 Z 8a • AUTOBAHN. Dieses Zeichen zeigt den Beginn einer Autobahn an.

Sources

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

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

End of the motorway.

English • Traffic sign StVO § 53 Z 8b • End of motorway. The sign indicates the end of a motorway.

Deutsch • StVO § 53 Z 8b • ENDE DER AUTOBAHN. Dieses Zeichen zeigt das Ende einer Autobahn an.

Sources

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

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

What speed limit applies to cars on a motorway in Austria?

For an ordinary passenger car without a trailer, the general maximum is 130 km/h. Obey lower posted limits and reduce speed when traffic, weather or visibility requires it. Different limits can apply to other vehicle classes.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 46

Who may use a motorway in Austria?

Normally, only motor vehicles with a design speed of at least 60 km/h which may legally exceed 60 km/h are admitted. This is an admission condition; it does not require that speed when traffic or safety requires slower driving.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 46

How should I make space for emergency vehicles on an Austrian motorway?

When a queue forms on a carriageway with two or more lanes, leave an emergency corridor between the leftmost lane and the lane immediately to its right. Move left in the leftmost lane and right in the other lanes.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 46

Austria

Expressway

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 ...