🚗 Cars & driving
Driving licence exchange, car import, NoVA, vignette, winter tyres, Vienna parking and public transport in Austria, with 2026 prices.
Cars, driving and transport in Austria
The key numbers for driving, owning a car and using public transport after you move to Austria. Updated November 2026.
Most people who move to Vienna live well without a car. If you plan to drive, sort out two things early: your driving licence (Führerschein) and, if you bring a car, its Austrian registration. Both deadlines start when you register your address. Read how to register your address first.
Can you drive in Austria with your licence?
It depends on where your licence comes from. EU and EEA licences stay valid. Licences from other countries are valid for 6 months after you set up your main residence (Hauptwohnsitz). After that you need an Austrian licence.
EU and EEA licences
Licences from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are recognised in Austria. You do not have to exchange them, even if you stay for good.
You can swap to an Austrian licence voluntarily. There is no test and no medical check. The fee is €90. The authority checks with the issuing country, which can take several weeks.
Old paper and older card licences stay valid until 18 January 2033. If you hold truck or bus classes (C, C1, D, D1), these end on the date on the licence, and no later than five years after your move.
Non-EU licences
Your licence is valid for 6 months after you register your main residence in Austria. Then it loses its validity and you must not drive on it. Exchange it within these 6 months.
During the 6 months you need a translation or an International Driving Permit, unless your licence uses classes A to E or is in German.
The ÖAMTC (Austrian automobile club) notes that licences from some countries, for example Indonesia, Nepal, Colombia and Panama, are not valid for driving in Austria at all. You can still exchange them.
Which countries can exchange without a driving test?
| Group | Countries | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| All classes, no practical test | Albania, Andorra, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Kosovo, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, United Kingdom | Medical report, documents, €90 fee |
| Class B (car) only, no practical test | Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, New Zealand, North Macedonia, South Africa, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, USA | Medical report, documents, €90 fee. Other classes need a test. |
| All other countries | For example India, Brazil, Turkey, the Philippines, Ukraine | Medical report and a practical driving test for each class |
Country list from oesterreich.gv.at, checked November 2026. The list names whole countries, so all US states and Canadian provinces count.
How to exchange your licence
- Register your address: get your Meldezettel (registration form). Your 6 months start when you set up your main residence.
- Get a medical report (ärztliches Gutachten) from an authorised doctor. It must not be older than 18 months. Non-EU licences only.
- Collect your documents: passport, foreign licence, translation if needed, one photo (35 x 45 mm), medical report and Meldezettel. Bring originals and copies.
- Book an appointment: in Vienna at the Verkehrsamt (traffic office) of the Landespolizeidirektion Wien in Dietrichgasse, 3rd district. Book online.
- Pay and wait: the fee is €90 plus test fees if a test applies. If you need a test, you get a provisional licence for up to 4 weeks. Without a test you may not drive on the foreign licence once the 6 months are over, even if the card is still in the post.
If you drive without a valid licence and cause an accident, the liability insurer can claim up to €11,000 back from you and the car owner. General information, not legal advice.
Importing and registering a car in Austria
Once Austria is your main residence, you may drive your car on foreign plates for one month only. The clock starts when the car first enters Austria. Short trips abroad do not stop it.
- You can get one extra month only if you can show that Austrian registration was not possible in time.
- After that, hand in the foreign registration papers and plates to the Landespolizeidirektion or Bezirkshauptmannschaft and drive on Austrian plates.
- Penalties for driving too long on foreign plates can be high.
Step by step
- Approval data: cars with an EU type approval (COC paper) need their data entered in the Austrian approval database (Genehmigungsdatenbank). The general importer of the brand does this, or the Landesprüfstelle (state testing office). Cost: up to €180.
- Single approval: cars without EU type approval, for example many cars from the USA, need an Einzelgenehmigung (single vehicle approval, often called Typisierung) at the Landesprüfstelle of your state. Cost: about €150, plus any changes the car needs.
- Pay NoVA: pay the Normverbrauchsabgabe (one-off registration tax) at the Finanzamt before registration. Private persons use form NoVA 2. See the next section.
- Inspection: if the car is old enough for the periodic check, you need a valid § 57a report, called the Pickerl. ÖAMTC, ARBÖ and many garages do it.
- Insurance: take out Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung (motor liability insurance) with an insurer licensed in Austria.
- Register: go to a Zulassungsstelle (registration office) for the district of your main residence. In Austria these desks are run by insurance companies, so your insurer often registers the car in the same visit. Bring photo ID, proof of insurance, proof of approval, purchase contract and the Pickerl report if needed. Cost: about €270 including new plates, €29.50 extra if you want the registration certificate as a card.
From an EU country
No customs. You pay NoVA and the usual registration costs. The Landesprüfstelle is the one in the state where you have your main residence.
From outside the EU
You can import your car free of customs duty and import VAT as relocation goods (Übersiedlungsgut) if you lived abroad for at least 12 months in a row, used the car there for at least 6 months, and import it within 12 months of moving. Apply before import at customs with form ZBefr 2a. You must not sell or lend the car for 12 months. NoVA is still due.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Check details with the Landesprüfstelle and your Finanzamt.
NoVA and the monthly motor tax
Austria taxes cars twice: once at first registration (NoVA) and every month through your insurance (motorbezogene Versicherungssteuer).
NoVA (one-off)
The Normverbrauchsabgabe is due when a car is registered in Austria for the first time. This includes your own used car when you move here.
The base is the market value without VAT. For used cars you can use Eurotax or a similar price list. If the real value is lower, you must prove it.
Formula for cars first registered in 2026:
- Rate = (CO2 in g/km WLTP minus 91) divided by 5
- Maximum rate 80 %
- Plus €80 for each g/km above 155
- Minus €350
For a used car from another EU country, the rules from the year of its first registration apply. With 0 g/km, fully electric cars pay no NoVA under this formula.
Motor-related insurance tax (monthly)
The motorbezogene Versicherungssteuer is collected by your insurer together with the liability premium. You do not file anything yourself.
- Petrol and diesel cars first registered after 30 September 2020: based on engine power (kW) and CO2.
- Older cars: based on kW only.
- Electric cars since 1 April 2025: based on power and weight. ÖAMTC example: 100 kW and 2,000 kg cost €41.25 a month.
- Older combustion cars pay a surcharge for paying in instalments: 6 % half-yearly, 8 % quarterly, 10 % monthly.
The BMF offers an online calculator for both taxes.
General information, not tax advice. NoVA on imports can be large, so calculate it before you ship a car. Compare with the price of buying in Austria. See cost of living in Austria.
Vignette 2026: prices and the digital vignette
You need a vignette (toll sticker or digital toll) on all Austrian motorways and expressways. The 2026 vignette is valid from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027.
| Car vignette (up to 3.5 t) | Price 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | €3.80 | digital only |
| 10 days | €5.10 | sticker or digital |
| 2 months | €12.80 | sticker or digital |
| Annual | €42.70 | valid 14 months |
- The 2026 sticker is the last one. From 2027 Austria sells only the digital vignette.
- The digital vignette is linked to your number plate. You can buy it in the ASFINAG app or webshop, or at ÖAMTC offices.
- Bought online from ASFINAG as a consumer, it becomes valid only after an 18-day withdrawal period. Plan ahead. Bought at an ÖAMTC office, the annual digital vignette is valid immediately.
- Driving without a vignette costs a replacement toll (Ersatzmaut) of €200 since 1 January 2026.
- Some sections have an extra section toll (Streckenmaut), for example some Alpine tunnels and passes.
Rules that surprise newcomers
Most rules match the rest of the EU. These ones catch people out, and they apply in every federal state.
Winter tyres
From 1 November to 15 April, you need winter tyres on all wheels when roads have snow, slush or ice. Minimum tread 4 mm. Snow chains on two drive wheels are only allowed on roads fully covered in snow or ice. Fines start at about €100 and can reach €10,000 if you put others at risk.
Alcohol
The limit is below 0.5 per mille. For probationary licence holders (Probeführerschein) and truck and bus drivers it is 0.1. Fines start at €300. From 0.8 per mille you lose your licence for at least one month.
Rettungsgasse
On motorways and expressways with two or more lanes, form an emergency lane as soon as traffic slows to a jam. Left lane moves left, all others move right. Fines up to €726, and €72 to €2,180 if you block emergency vehicles.
Warning vest and kit
Carry a warning vest, a warning triangle and a first aid kit. Wear the vest when you leave the car after a breakdown or accident.
Probation for new drivers
New Austrian licences start with a probation period. Offences during that time lead to extra training and a longer probation.
Points system
Austria has a Vormerksystem (penalty register). A third listed offence within two years means losing your licence for at least three months.
Emergency numbers: 112 (Europe), 133 (police), 144 (ambulance). ÖAMTC breakdown help: 120. General information, not legal advice.
Parkpickerl and short-term parking zones
Vienna’s short-term parking zones (Kurzparkzonen) apply Monday to Friday, 9:00–22:00. Without a resident permit you pay with a parking ticket (Parkschein) or the Handyparken app.
Short-term parking fees 2026
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| 15 minutes | free (ticket needed) |
| 30 minutes | €1.70 |
| 1 hour | €3.40 |
| 1.5 hours | €5.10 |
| 2 hours | €6.80 |
Maximum stay is usually 2 hours. Shopping streets have their own times (weekdays 8:00–18:00, Saturdays 8:00–12:00) and a 1.5-hour limit. Old tickets with 2025 prices stopped being valid on 1 July 2026.
Parkpickerl (resident permit)
- Costs €13 per month (€156 per year) in every district, plus one-off application fees.
- Your main residence must be in the district, and the car must be registered at that address. This means Austrian plates.
- You apply for 4 to 24 months at a time, online with ID Austria (lower fees) or at your Magistratisches Bezirksamt (district office).
- Online processing takes about one week.
- With the Pickerl you park without a time limit in your district and in linked overlap zones.
Vienna annual pass, KlimaTicket and ÖBB
Public transport in Austria is good and often cheaper than a car. In Vienna, the annual pass covers U-Bahn, trams and buses in the core zone.
| Ticket | Price 2026 | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Jahreskarte Wien (annual pass) | €461 digital, €467 plastic card | All Wiener Linien lines in the Vienna core zone |
| Jahreskarte Youth, Senior, Special | from €294 | Under 26, 65 and over, or with a disability |
| Single ticket Vienna | €3.00 digital, €3.20 printed | One trip in the core zone |
| 24-hour ticket | €9.70 digital | Unlimited travel for 24 hours |
| 7-day ticket | €25.20 digital | Unlimited travel for 7 days |
| KlimaTicket Ö Classic | €1,400 per year | Almost all public transport in all of Austria, incl. ÖBB trains |
| KlimaTicket Ö Youth, Senior, Special | €1,050 per year | Under 26, 65 and over, or special groups |
| KlimaTicket family add-on | + €140 per year | Up to four children aged 6 to 15 |
| ÖBB Vorteilscard Classic | €73 per year | 50 % off standard ÖBB train tickets |
| Vorteilscard Jugend / Senior | €21 / €31 per year | Under 26 / 65 and over |
- The KlimaTicket Ö can be paid monthly at no extra cost. You pay two instalments at the start, then 10 direct debits.
- Do the maths: if you commute between cities, the KlimaTicket often beats a car. If you stay in Vienna, the annual pass is enough.
- Each federal state also sells a regional KlimaTicket for its own area. Prices differ by state.
- Many employers pay for the annual pass as a job ticket. Ask before you buy.
- Wiener Linien adjusts fares on 1 January 2027. Check the new prices before you renew.
Children under 6 travel free with a KlimaTicket Ö and need no family add-on.
Cycling in Vienna and Austria
Vienna has a growing network of bike lanes and a public bike share. The rules are strict on helmets for children and on alcohol.
Rules
- Children under 12 must wear a helmet, also in a bike seat or trailer.
- Under 14 must wear a helmet on an e-bike.
- Alcohol limit on a bike: 0.8 per mille. Fines start at €800.
- Phone calls only with a hands-free set.
- If there is a mandatory bike lane, you must use it.
WienMobil Rad (bike share)
- Standard bike: €0.80 per 30 minutes.
- With a Vienna annual pass or KlimaTicket: €0.37 per 30 minutes.
- E-bike: €3.30 per 30 minutes, or €2.30 with the pass discount.
- Annual subscription: €63, or €31.50 with an annual pass. The first 30 minutes of each ride are included.
- More than 3,700 bikes across Vienna.
Useful German words for driving
You will see these words on forms, signs and letters from the authorities.
| German | English | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Führerschein | Driving licence | Everywhere you drive |
| Umschreibung | Licence exchange | Swapping a foreign licence |
| Ärztliches Gutachten | Medical report | Exchanging a non-EU licence |
| Hauptwohnsitz | Main residence | Starts your licence and plate deadlines |
| Zulassungsstelle | Registration office | Registering a car |
| Kennzeichen | Number plate | Registration and vignette |
| Einzelgenehmigung | Single vehicle approval | Importing a car without EU approval |
| Normverbrauchsabgabe (NoVA) | Registration tax | First registration in Austria |
| Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung | Motor liability insurance | Before you can register |
| Pickerl (§ 57a) | Roadworthiness check | Every year for older cars |
| Kurzparkzone / Parkschein | Short-term zone / parking ticket | Parking in cities |
| Rettungsgasse | Emergency lane | Traffic jams on the motorway |
Questions about driving in Austria
Can I drive in Austria with my EU driving licence?
Yes. Licences from EU and EEA countries are recognised in Austria and do not need to be exchanged. You can exchange voluntarily for €90 without a test or medical check.
How long can I drive in Austria with a US driving licence?
For 6 months after you register your main residence in Austria. Within that time you can exchange it for an Austrian class B licence without a driving test. You need a medical report and pay €90.
Which countries can exchange a driving licence in Austria without a test?
All classes: Albania, Andorra, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Kosovo, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland and the UK. Class B only: Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, New Zealand, North Macedonia, South Africa, South Korea, the UAE and the USA.
How do I exchange my driving licence in Vienna?
Book an appointment at the Verkehrsamt of the Landespolizeidirektion Wien. Bring your passport, foreign licence, translation if needed, a 35 x 45 mm photo, your Meldezettel and, for non-EU licences, a medical report. The fee is €90.
How long can I drive with foreign plates after moving to Austria?
One month from the day the car first enters Austria. You can get one more month only if Austrian registration was not possible in time. After that you need Austrian plates.
Do I have to pay NoVA when I bring my car to Austria?
Yes, in most cases. NoVA is due at the first Austrian registration, also for your own used car. It depends on the market value and CO2 emissions. Fully electric cars pay no NoVA.
How much is the Austrian motorway vignette in 2026?
For a car it costs €3.80 for 1 day, €5.10 for 10 days, €12.80 for 2 months and €42.70 for a year. Bought online from ASFINAG, the digital vignette starts 18 days after purchase. Driving without one costs €200.
How much is the Parkpickerl in Vienna in 2026?
€13 per month, which is €156 per year, plus one-off application fees. You need your main residence in the district and the car registered at that address.
- oesterreich.gv.at: Exchanging a foreign driving licence (country lists)
- ÖAMTC: EU, EEA and non-EU licences in Austria
- oesterreich.gv.at: Driving with foreign plates
- oesterreich.gv.at: Importing a vehicle (approval and database)
- ÖAMTC: Car registration in Austria
- BMF: NoVA rate from 1 July 2025 and 2026 values
- BMF: NoVA on own import from EU countries
- BMF: Relocation from a non-EU country (customs)
- ÖAMTC: Motor-related insurance tax
- oesterreich.gv.at: Pickerl inspection (§ 57a)
- ÖAMTC: Vignette 2026 prices and digital vignette
- vienna.at: Replacement toll €200 from 2026
- ÖAMTC: Winter equipment rules for cars
- ÖAMTC: Alcohol limits and penalties
- oesterreich.gv.at: Rettungsgasse
- oesterreich.gv.at: Warning vest and warning triangle
- City of Vienna: Parking fees 2026
- City of Vienna: Parkpickerl for residents
- Wiener Linien: Annual pass
- KlimaTicket: Prices 2026
- ÖBB: All Vorteilscards
- oesterreich.gv.at: Cycling rules
- Wiener Linien: WienMobil Rad prices
Rules change. Check the official source before you apply. More help: residence permits and the moving checklist.