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Austria
Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. Following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995, some Austrian's have called into question this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country, Austria entered the European Monetary Union in 1999.
Towns in Austria
Airports in Austria
Driving Advice in Austria
Driving in Austria - some useful information: back to top
SPECIAL NOTES
Drive on the right, overtake on the left.
The flashing of headlights is used as a warning sign.
Dipped headlights must be used in built up areas at after sunset.
Do not cross the solid yellow lines in the centre of the road.
Snow tyres/chains permitted for use from the 15th November to 1st Sunday after Easter. These can be hired at all major border crossings. All hire cars are provided with these but they are charged as extras.
It is an offence for a driver to use a mobile phone without a hands-free kit.
Accidents involving injury must be notified to the police.
Information on road conditions is available from Austrian Automobile Club, call 71 19 97 if in Vienna, 1 71 19 97 from anywhere in Austria.
SIGN TRANSLATIONS
Strasse Gesperrt = Road Closed
Steinschlag = Falling Rocks
Querstrasse = Crossroads
Lawinen Gefahr = Avalanche Danger
Hupverbot = Do not use Horn
Beschrankung fur Halten oder Parken = Stopping and Parking Restricted
Ausweiche = Diversion
Anhanger Verboten = Trailers not Allowed
Abblendlicht = Dipped headlights
Abstand halten = Maintain distance
Alle Richtungen = All directions
Altstadt = Oldtown
Anfang = Start, beginning
Anschluß = Junction
Anwohner Frei = Residents with indicated permit are free of this restriction
Auf dem Seitenstreifen = On the shoulder
Ausfahrt = Exit
Autobahndreieck = Autobahn "T" junction
Autobahnkreuz = Autobahn junction
Bauarbeiten = Roadwork's
Baustelle = Roadwork's
Belegt = Full
Besetzt = Full
Bitte Sauberhalten = Please keep this a clean place
Bis = Until
Centrum = City Center
Dauer = Duration
Durchfahrt verboten = No through traffic
Einbahnstraße = One-way street
Einfahrt = Entrance
Einordnen = Enter the lane, merge
Einsatzfahrzeuge frei = Operations vehicles only
Ende = End
Fahrbahnwechsel = Change lanes
Fahrtrichtung = Direction of travel
Frei = Free, permitted
Freiefahrt = Road is clear
Frostchäden = Frost damage
Fußgänger = Pedestrian
Gasse = Lane
Gefahr/gefährlich = Danger, risk
Glatteisgefahr = Icy road
Grenze = Border
Grenze Kontrolle = Customs inspection
Halt = Stop
Haltestelle = Bus/tram stop
Keine, Kein = No
Keine einfahrt = No entry
Keine mofas = No mopeds
Krankenfahrzeuge frei = Ambulances only
Kreuzung = Intersection
Landschafts Schutzgebiet = No parking
Langsam fahren = Drive slowly
Licht einschalten = Turn on lights
Lieferverkehr frei = Delivery vehicles only
Links einbiegen = Turn left
Nur mit Parkschein = Only with a parking permit ticket
Parkhaus = Parking garage
Parkplatz = Parking lot
Parkscheibe = Parking disc
Parkschein = Parking permit ticket
Parkscheinautomat = Parking permit ticket machine
Parkuhr = Parking meter
Pkw. = Private/passenger vehicles
Polizei = Police
Radweg kreutz = Bicycle-path crossing
Raststätte = Service area
Rechts einbiegen = Turn right
Rechts fahren = Keep right
Schulbus = School bus
Schülerlotse = School crossing guard
Seitenstreifen nicht befahrbar = Do not use shoulder
Sperrgebeit = Restricted area
Sperrung = Closure
Spur = Traffic lane
Stadtzcentrum = Town center
Stadmitte = Town center
Stau = Slow traffic; drive with care
Straße = Street
Straßenbahn = Streetcar
Straßenschäden = Road damage
Tankstelle = Fuel station
Überholen = Passing
Überholen verboten = No passing
Umleitung = Detour
Unfall = Accident; drive with care
Verengte Fahrbahn = Road narrows
Verkehrshelfer = School crossing guard
Vorfahrt = Priority (right of way)
Vorfahrt beachten = Yield
Vorfahrtstraße = Priority road
Vorrang = riority (right of way)
Vorsicht = Be careful
Zentrum = Town center
Zufahrt frei = Access permitted
VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS
A warning triangle and a first aid kit are required. A spare bulb kit and a fire extinguisher are recommended.
SPEED LIMITS
Cars only
Built-up areas = 50 kph
Major roads outside towns = 100 kph
Motorways = 130 kph
Some motorways 22:00hrs to 05:00hrs = 110 kph
Vorarlberg & Tyrol = 80 kph
MOTORWAYS
Austria's motorways and speed roads (also city motorways) are subject to toll. The toll is paid by purchasing a sticker (autobahnvignette) that is attached to cars' windscreen. For a car a 10 day vignette is EUR7.80 or for longer stays a 2 month vignette is EUR21.80. More information available from http://www.vignette.at.
In exception to the priority-on-your-right rule, trams coming from your left have priority. Ascending vehicles have priority on mountain roads.
SEAT BELTS
Front seat = Compulsory
Rear seat = Compulsory if fitted
Children under 12 years and less than 1.5 metres not allowed in front unless in an approved seat or harness. Children under 12 years but over 1.5 metres must use adult belt.
DRIVING LICENCE
EC licence must be accompanied by photographic ID (passport).
Minimum driving age 18.
FINES
Motoring offences attract an on the spot fine. Police accept credit cards and an official receipt should be issued.
DRINKING and DRIVING
Blood / Alcohol limit is 0.049%.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Police
133
Fire Service
122
Ambulance
144
Doctor on call
141
Mountain Rescue
140
PARKING
Limited parking zones (Blaue Zones) with a maximum parking time of up to 3 hours are clearly marked. In Vienna, Graz, Linz, Klagenfurt, Innsbruck and a few other cities there is a charge for parking. Payment is by voucher. Vouchers can be obtained from most tobacconists, banks and some petrol stations. They must be clearly displayed on the inside of the windscreen.
FUEL
Unleaded Regular 91 = Bleifrei Normal
Unleaded Super 95 = Bleifrei Super
Diesel = Diesel
LPG = Autogas
The majority of fuel stations are open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. but stations in large cities may operate 24 hours. Major credit cards are not accepted at most stations.
We offer car hire in the following locations in Austria
Salzburg, Vienna, Graz Airport, Graz, Innsbruck Airport, Innsbruck, Linz Airport, Linz, Salzburg Airport, Vienna Airport, Wels and other locations.
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