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Austria — driver's guide
Verified links and explanations for drivers: inspection, service, motorway vignette, winter equipment, accident help.
Motorway vignette (digital)
You must have a valid vignette before entering an Austrian motorway. The digital vignette is tied to your licence plate; options are 1-day, 10-day, 2-month or annual. The annual car vignette for 2026 costs 106.80 EUR (price list on shop.asfinag.at). Driving without one risks an on-the-spot substitute toll of around 120 EUR plus fines. Buy only at shop.asfinag.at or in the ASFINAG app — unofficial reseller sites add heavy markups — and note that a 2-month or annual vignette bought online is valid only from the 18th day after purchase, while 1-day and 10-day vignettes work immediately; for immediate annual validity, buy at a physical sales partner such as a petrol station, ÖAMTC or ARBÖ.
Go to the official purchase ↗Winter equipment obligation
From 1 November to 15 April you may drive in wintry conditions only with winter tyres on all wheels, or with snow chains on at least two drive wheels on a snow-covered road. Minimum tread depth is 4 mm, and since October 2024 tyres must carry the 3PMSF 'Alpine' symbol — the M+S marking alone is no longer enough. Note that this is not a fixed calendar rule: the obligation applies only when there is actually snow, slush or ice on the road. Non-compliance can bring fines of up to around 5,000 EUR if it causes an accident.
Open the official source ↗Emergency & accident numbers
The EU-wide emergency number 112 works everywhere. Austria-specific numbers: police 133, ambulance 144, fire brigade 122, alpine rescue 140. For breakdowns: ÖAMTC 120, ARBÖ 123. In an accident with injuries you are legally required to call for help and stay at the scene.
Open the official source ↗Periodic technical inspection
The Pickerl (§57a inspection) is Austria's mandatory roadworthiness check. Cars follow the 3-2-1 rule: the first inspection is due 3 years after first registration, the next after 2 more years, and then annually. Driving with an expired Pickerl risks fines and problems with your insurance.
Open the official source ↗Service / repair
There is no official state source for car servicing — routine maintenance and repairs are handled by brand-authorised or independent garages. The best starting point is your car brand's authorised-dealer locator rather than any government site.