Driving a Rental Car in Austria
Parking in Vienna & Highway Vignettes (with official links)
1. General Driving Rules in Austria
When driving a rental car in Austria, the following rules apply:
Driving is on the right-hand side.
Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.
Daytime running lights or low-beam headlights are required during the day.
Zero alcohol tolerance for new drivers (less than 2 years); general limit is 0.5‰.
Children under 135 cm must use an appropriate child seat.
Speed limits (unless otherwise indicated):
Built-up areas: 50 km/h
Outside built-up areas: 100 km/h
Motorways: 130 km/h
⚠️ Important notice regarding fines:
Traffic or parking fines are usually issued to the vehicle owner (rental company). The processing of fines may take several weeks or even several months. Once received, the fine will be charged to the renter’s payment card together with an administrative handling fee, in accordance with the rental agreement.
2. Highway Vignettes and Tolls in Austria
What is a vignette?
Austria uses a motorway vignette system for vehicles up to 3.5 tons, including rental cars.
The vignette is required on all motorways and expressways.
Austria offers:
Electronic vignette (digital) – linked to the license plate
Sticker vignette – placed on the windshield
Important for rental cars
Do not assume the vignette is included in your rental.
Always check your rental contract.
If not included, you must purchase it before entering a motorway.
Official purchase website
(Operated by ASFINAG – the official Austrian motorway authority)
Vignette prices (passenger cars – approx.)
Validity
Price
1 day
approx. €8.60
10 days
approx. €11.50
2 months
approx. €28.90
1 year
approx. €96.40
⚠️ Some Alpine tunnels and mountain passes (e.g. Brenner, Tauern) require additional tolls, even with a valid vignette.
Penalties and delayed charges
Driving without a valid vignette may result in a substitute toll of approx. €120, or a much higher fine if unpaid.
Such charges are often processed months later via the rental company and may include administrative fees according to the rental contract.
3. Parking in Vienna – Short Guide
Parking in Vienna is strictly regulated.
Official parking information
👉 https://www.wien.gv.at/verkehr/parken/
Short-term parking zones (Kurzparkzone)
Most of Vienna is covered by paid short-term parking zones
Valid Monday–Friday, usually 09:00–22:00
Maximum parking time: 2 hours
💰 Price: approx. €2.50 per hour
Payment options:
Parking ticket (machine or shop)
Mobile apps (e.g. Handyparken)
⚠️ Parking fines:
Parking violations are often detected automatically and processed later. The fine may reach the rental company weeks or months after your visit, and the renter will be charged the fine plus an administrative fee, as stated in the rental agreement.
Park & Ride (P+R)
Highly recommended for visitors:
Located near metro stations
Daily price: approx. €4–5
Easy access to the city center by public transport
4. Practical Tips for Renters
Always check whether the vignette is included.
Be aware that fines can be charged long after the rental ends.
Administrative fees are not set by authorities, but by the rental company and listed in the contract.
Keep confirmation emails for vignette purchases.
✅ Summary
Motorway vignette is mandatory in Austria
Buy only from the official ASFINAG website
👉 https://shop.asfinag.at/enVienna has paid short-term parking zones
Fines may appear months later and include administrative fees