Speed limitAustria

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

6. Speed limit

A speed limit is the maximum legal speed permitted on a road, lane or within a designated area. It may be established by general traffic law or indicated by fixed, variable or temporary traffic signs.

A speed limit is a maximum, not a target speed. Drivers must travel more slowly whenever traffic, visibility, weather, road conditions, vulnerable road users or the condition of the vehicle make the maximum permitted speed unsafe.

50 km/h speed-limit sign on Münchener Straße. (Salzburg, Austria)
Wikimedia.org • Eweht • CC BY-SA

Which general speed limits should car drivers know in Austria?

For an ordinary passenger car without a trailer, the general maxima are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 100 km/h on ordinary roads outside them and 130 km/h on motorways. Follow applicable signed restrictions and special-area rules. These figures do not cover every vehicle or towing combination.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 43, 46–47, 52(10a–10b,19)

Does an Austrian town-entry sign cancel a separately signed speed restriction?

No. Town-entry and town-end signs do not themselves cancel an existing separately signed speed restriction. Keep observing its applicable scope; entering or leaving the town is not automatic permission to disregard it.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 43, 46–47, 52(10a–10b,19)

Start of a speed limit.

English • Traffic sign StVO § 52 Z 10a • Speed limit (maximum permitted speed). The sign indicates that, from its location, exceeding the speed shown in kilometres per hour is prohibited. Railway legislation determines whether, and at what distance, it must be installed before level crossings.

Deutsch • StVO § 52 Z 10a • GESCHWINDIGKEITSBESCHRÄNKUNG (ERLAUBTE HÖCHSTGESCHWINDIGKEIT). Dieses Zeichen zeigt an, dass das Überschreiten der Fahrgeschwindigkeit, die als Stundenkilometeranzahl im Zeichen angegeben ist, ab dem Standort des Zeichens verboten ist. Ob und in welcher Entfernung es vor schienengleichen Eisenbahnübergängen anzubringen ist, ergibt sich aus den eisenbahnrechtlichen Vorschriften.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ris.bka.gv.at • StVO § 52 Z 10a

SVG source: Rl91 • Public domain • Original revision 2013-07-07. Wikimedia original unmodified.

End of the speed limit.

English • Traffic sign StVO § 52 Z 10b • End of the speed limit. The sign indicates the end of the speed restriction. It must be installed after every sign under item 10a and may be placed on the reverse of the sign for the opposite direction. It may be omitted if another speed limit begins where the restriction ends, even if the new limit does not arise under this Federal Act.

Deutsch • StVO § 52 Z 10b • ENDE DER GESCHWINDIGKEITSBESCHRÄNKUNG. Dieses Zeichen zeigt das Ende der Geschwindigkeitsbeschränkung an. Es ist nach jedem Zeichen gemäß Z 10a anzubringen und kann auch auf der Rückseite des für die Gegenrichtung geltenden Zeichens angebracht werden. Es kann entfallen, wenn am Ende der Geschwindigkeitsbeschränkung eine neue Geschwindigkeitsbeschränkung, sei es auch nicht aufgrund dieses Bundesgesetzes, beginnt.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ris.bka.gv.at • StVO § 52 Z 10b

SVG source: Rl91 • Public domain • Original revision 2013-07-07. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Can I drive at the Austrian maximum when I cannot see far ahead?

No. Austrian law requires a speed adapted to the road, traffic and visibility. The maximum remains a ceiling; slow down so that limited sight distance, a bend or poor weather does not make your chosen speed unsafe.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 43, 46–47, 52(10a–10b,19)

Zone

Footpath

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 ...