Priority roadAustria

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

22. Priority road

A priority road is a road whose traffic is given priority over traffic entering from intersecting roads. It is normally identified by a priority-road sign, while an end sign indicates where that continuing priority status stops.

Drivers on a priority road must still obey traffic lights, authorised officers, speed limits, crossings and turning rules. Having priority never allows a driver to proceed when doing so would create danger or block an intersection.

15% downhill-gradient warning for the next 1 500 metres at Katschberghöhe. (Salzburg, Austria)
Wikimedia.org • Mateus2019 • CC BY-SA

How does priority-road status work in Austria?

Austria recognises a signed Vorrangstraße. Traffic using it has priority over traffic on intersecting or joining roads; a supplementary diagram can show that the priority route turns.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 19, 50(4), 52(25a–25b), 53(13a), 54(5)(e)

How can you tell where a priority road applies in Austria?

Read the priority-road sign, the corresponding end indication and any supplementary junction diagram. Distinguish a continuing road designation from a sign that regulates only one junction. If a diagram shows the priority route turning, follow that diagram rather than assuming the straight-ahead road has priority.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 19, 50(4), 52(25a–25b), 53(13a), 54(5)(e)

Start of a priority road.

English • Traffic sign StVO § 52 Z 25a • Priority road. The sign indicates the beginning and course of a priority road. If the priority road changes direction at a junction, its course must be shown on a supplementary plate under section 54(5)(e).

Deutsch • StVO § 52 Z 25a • VORRANGSTRASSE. Dieses Zeichen zeigt den Beginn und den Verlauf einer Vorrangstraße an. Wenn eine Vorrangstraße auf einer Kreuzung die Richtung ihres Verlaufes ändert, so ist der Verlauf der Vorrangstraße auf einer Zusatztafel nach § 54 Abs. 5 lit. e erkennbar zu machen.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ris.bka.gv.at • StVO § 52 Z 25a

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

End of the priority road.

English • Traffic sign StVO § 52 Z 25b • End of the priority road. The sign indicates the end of a priority road.

Deutsch • StVO § 52 Z 25b • ENDE DER VORRANGSTRASSE. Dieses Zeichen zeigt das Ende einer Vorrangstraße an.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ris.bka.gv.at • StVO § 52 Z 25b

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

Does having road priority let you ignore other controls in Austria?

No. Obey the applicable traffic signals and authorised directions, speed limits and crossing rules. Turning or changing lanes can require yielding, and having priority never permits entering a conflict that cannot be crossed safely.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 19, 50(4), 52(25a–25b), 53(13a), 54(5)(e)

Roundabout

Give way to oncoming traffic

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 ...