Driving licence in Austria

This article deals with the special provisions for the license and documented with this driving license in Austria. Austria uses the EU law with the following additional provisions.

In addition to the basic arrangements under the driver's license law (FSG ) about the classes and subclasses of the driving license is in Austria since 1 July 2005 ( 7 license law amendment ) the driving offenses ( " points driving license " ) came into force. There is also the sample driver's license (§ 4 FSG, 8 driver's license law amendment ), the ( at L17 handlebars three years) limited to particularly strict regulation applies to novice drivers to two years.

With the January 19, 2013, an EU directive was implemented, after which the license only has a validity of 15 years and then must be re-issued. Mandatory medical examinations for the new issue of the driving license document are not provided. Purpose is only the renewal of the photos because the person is no longer recognizable on these after this period under certain circumstances. This is the relevance of the document can be obtained. In addition, to increase the security against forgery new security features.

The following classes are purely national, which means that you can not drive such vehicles abroad under certain circumstances. The approval of this is dependent on reciprocal agreements between countries.

L17 - training

In Austria can be already attained the age of 17 with a special training that is offered in almost all driving schools, the driving license. The 17 -year-olds have the normal training at age 16 complete (course in driving school and driving lessons ) and then get the opportunity to ride with a companion on public roads. This person must possess a driver's license here and have a particularly close relationship with the learner at least seven years; mostly this position is accepted by the parents of novice driver. On these trips, front and rear a standard " L17 - training ride " sign must be attached to the vehicle. It must be proven training cruises in the amount of at least 3,000 kilometers, with every 1000 kilometers a check ride in the driving school is to be completed. If all these conditions are met, the learner gets to the age of 17 year, the opportunity to take the driving test and may after successful theoretical and practical test - in contrast to the German model - ride alone. Except for a lasting until the 20th birthday probation ( probation for non- L17 - driving license holders: two years after the exhibition) is equivalent to any other license holder of the 17- year-old.

Class F - tractor and machinery

The class F for tractors ( in Austria officially tractor) can be purchased under certain conditions from the age of 16, otherwise with the completion of the 18th year. In addition, the license category C1 or C is acquired automatically. The class F may be directed:

• Tractors
• Motor carts
• Agricultural self -propelled machines
• Self-propelled machines
• Trolleys

Each with a design speed of not more than 50 km / h

• Einachszugmaschinen
• Special motor vehicles.

The driving license of Class F shall apply in addition to Austria and in the countries Portugal, France, Luxembourg, Denmark, Finland, Germany and Slovenia. The alcohol limit is for the class F under the age of 20 years 0.1 per thousand, then 0.5 per thousand.

Class G - machinery

The class G for machines no longer exists since 1 October 2002. It has been integrated into the F class. The advanced by this group permissions were the owners of Group F with registered.

Firemen license

The Austrian Fire driving license (according to § 32a FSG) facilitates directing fire-fighting vehicles. Thus, " the directing fire-fighting vehicles (which is a motor vehicle or trailer that is intended for use by fire departments exclusively or mainly by its design and equipment; quote § 2, paragraph 1, point 28 KFG 1967) with the driving license class B in combination with a fire license allowed ". This means that, even if this is more than 3500 kg permissible maximum mass has already least 18 years firefighting vehicles of any kind or a bus is, may drive without additional driving license. Does the owner of a firefighter driving license, a driving license category B E, then pulling other than light trailers, fire engines are equipped with a towing vehicle of category C or D or subcategory C1 without possession of Class C E, C1 E or D e permitted.

The training, depending on the state in the individual fire departments or with competent regional fire service organizations, which also exhibit a driver's license. In practice, in some states but a driving license of class to get C1 issued necessary to a fire license. The license shall be valid for a period of ten years. To extend but only an examination by a fire department physician is necessary, which corresponds approximately to a firefighter fitness test.

This special form of driver's license was introduced in 2004 to ensure the survival of drivers in the fire service. This was necessary for two reasons. On one hand, the smaller fire vehicles are getting heavier and usually exceed the total weight of 3.5 tons. On the other hand, the barriers are to reach a truck driver's license and to keep getting harder. An additional point of contention results to be the legal alcohol limit, which is when driving a truck at 0.1 ‰, while the fire department certificate 0.5 ‰ are allowed.

With effect from 2011, the fire department driving license regulation was extended to that for existing B driving license after training at the local fire department vehicles with a gross vehicle weight may be driven up to 5.5 tons. These rules were extended to the emergency services who can make the training in the respective organization. In addition, it has been extended for public safety services for steering armored vehicles up to this weight. In this case, the confirmation is issued by the MoI.

Army driving license

As part of the internal training of the armed forces all categories of licenses can be purchased. On the heeres own training follows a heeres internal driving test, which is basically similar to the "civilian" driving test; it is supplemented by some military chapter and driving exercises. The army driving license applies only to permanent affiliation of the Army and Army vehicles where there is more license types than in the civilian driver's license. For example, vehicles with a maximum gross weight of 3.5 tons is in off-road (driving license identification B2 ) and non -terrain vehicles (B1 ) divided. Also in trucks and armored vehicles, there are such additional distinctions. However, an army driving license be easily converted into a civilian driving license of the same scope.

Code 111 - motorcycles up to 125 cc

In Austria motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 125 cc and a maximum power of 11 kW (15 PS) may also be directed to the B license when this interruption has been for at least five years and in a driving school or an automobile club six -hour drive with a corresponding proof motorcycle. This is connected with the re-issuance of driver's license, as it is registered with the Class B Code 111. ( In 2013, it was planned to the existing license to issue an additional sheet which should be carried, but this was rejected. ) This additional entry is only recognized in Austria.

Following the implementation of Directive 2006/126/EC on driving licenses, the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology in 2013 has asked EU states whether a ( Austrian ) B driving license would also find there recognition, prompting Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Spain and the Czech Republic have declared that a B license for driving a motorcycle up to 125 cc with national legislation should be brought into line. Restrictive one may drive in Portugal but only a minimum age of 25 years and draw only vehicles with an automatic transmission in the Czech Republic.

An inquiry in 2002 found that one ( Austrian ) B license only in Italy and Luxembourg was to bring the national legislation into line. In Luxembourg, however, one could only draw with a B license, which was issued prior to 1980, a motorcycle up to 125 cc. The regime of Luxembourg was abandoned in 2013.

In Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and the Czech Republic one must also B channel only with the driver's license of the class a motorcycle up to 125 cc, with its conditions are different: In Italy, everyone is allowed with B draw an A license a motorcycle up to 125 cc, in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, only those with automatic transmission and in Spain you have to be 3 years in possession of the class B and Portugal have a minimum age of 25 years. In France, the new addition was again difficult after it has come to an accident blackspots. In Hungary there is for the owner of a driving license for category B a B125 - course and in Switzerland a simplified procedure involving eight -hour drive without examination to obtain a license for category A1.

Scooter badge

The moped card is valid for single and multi- engine bikes with up to 50 cc and a maximum design speed of 45 km / h. These vehicles are referred to in Austria colloquially as moped.

With informed consent of the parent or guardian and the completion of an additional practical training in the amount of eight teaching units ( usually: six units car control training, two units driving in traffic with an instructor ), the ID card will be issued to the 15th birthday. Without this declaration is the deadline for issuing the identity card of the moped 's 16th birthday.

Before issuing the card a six-hour traffic classes must be attended in a car club or as part of school training in a driving school, .

Furthermore, a theory test is positive completion. The material is divided into 255 questions; which will be provided by questionnaire 24.

This training or assessment must be carried out normally for half a year before the date of issuing the card; this shall not apply if the training is visited as part of school education. The examination is taken at driving schools, automobile clubs or in schools and not to authorities.

This card with a special note is also necessary to direct four-wheeled light vehicles ( microcar ) and Quads up to 50 cc. In this case, a separate practical training with a Microcar / Quad is in addition to the requirements listed above to be completed in a period of six lessons. If the theory test be a prerequisite for the issuance of the moped ID, then an additional test shall be taken positively. This question will be provided from a pot of 28 additional questions seven.

A driving license - no matter what class (es) it also includes - replaces the moped card.

Moped card abroad - Validity

The moped permit is valid in principle only in Austria. For driving with motor bikes Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, Monaco, Morocco, the Czech Republic and Slovakia require Austrian citizens a driving license class A ( in Germany also reaches Class B). Greece, however, is free of license, the driving of motor bikes. In all other states that have recognized the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968, the Austrian moped card will be enough.

Dangerous handlebar ID

A dangerous link ID ( formerly B6- certification ) is for steering of vehicles required, which are loaded with dangerous goods. Before 31 August 1998 the minimum age was the perfect age of 24, with the entry into force of the new Dangerous Goods Transportation Act, this age restriction has been dropped. For dangerous goods class 1 ( explosives ) and Class 7 ( radioactive material ) is an additional training necessary as. Well as for the transport of dangerous goods in tanks The dangerous goods training run alongside specially authorized by driving schools and vocational training institutions, such as WIFI, BFI or ARC.

School bus link card

The school bus handlebar card is required to carry in passenger vehicles with nine seats ( minibus ) up to 14 school children are allowed. It is issued by the district administration authorities.

Multi-phase training

License holders have in Austria after the driving test education units on. However, these do not have a test, but serve to perfect.

These secondary units called multi-phase training:

This includes the B - license perfection two trips (two to four or six to twelve months after the test) and a driver safety training ( three to nine months after the test). For L17 - arm the first perfection navigation is formed; A driver's license requires only the driver safety training.

Non - Austrian steering Permissions

Member States of the EU or EEA

Steering permissions that are valid in the countries of the European Union or the European Economic Area, are also fully applicable in Austria. The license must not be exchanged. However, it should be noted that the model established in Austria minimum age for driving vehicles of a particular class is required in every case, even if the home country has a lower minimum age should apply.

Exception: Driving licenses from Germany, Denmark and the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), which are recognized on the basis of mutual agreement after only 17 years.

Non - Member States of the EU or EEA

Persons transferring their primary residence from a non- EEA country to Austria must convert their non-Austrian driving license ( their non-Austrian driving license) within six months in an Austrian driving license. This period may be extended at the request up to one year. Either the non-Austrian driving license is rewritten directly or it must be stored under certain circumstances a practical driving test.

If the principal residence is not transferred to Austria, then may a foreign driving license, which was granted by a Party to the Vienna Convention on the movement of motor vehicles, of the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or the Paris Convention on Road Traffic, up to twelve months from entry be driven into the Austrian territory when the owner of the driving license has reached the age of 18. This ensures that tourists are allowed to drive any problems with their native driver's license, provided they have a driving license from a State which has ratified one of the three mentioned Agreement.

Due to the recent decision by the Austrian Administrative Court ( 18 December 2006) is valid for both cases (ie, transfer of residence to Austria → § 23/1 FSG, as well as your principal residence abroad → § 23/5 FSG) that a license from a Member State of the must be three international agreement or an EU / EEA driving license.

Historical

License categories

Before the dangerous link card was introduced, there was for tank cars, the special class H. This class but was abolished in the 1970s.

It was from about 1977, the subclasses AJ and AK. AK was generally limited to less than 50 cubic centimeters, the Class AJ was limited until the age of 18 years to less than 50 cubic centimeters and was automatically for unrestricted class A. AJ was abolished in 1991, AK until 1997. The corresponding vehicle class were the small motorcycles.

Training

Until the 1980s, two ways of driving instruction were possible. The most prevalent was, as now also practiced, training in a driving school. The price differences for the classic driver's license training class B were loud Labour Upper Austria up to 53 %.

Another training was a purely private, the so-called § 122- training ' where you only needed a training cruise approval of the District Commission for both the instructor as well as for the vehicle. Both had certain conditions, such as fulfilling driving experience of the teacher or an accessible from the passenger hand brake in the exercise vehicle. The theoretical knowledge one could acquire self-study. This type of training was only possible for the vehicles of class B common but also for Group C. The vehicle was going back ( within the disc ) with "L" (white on blue square) and mark " test drive " test drives were ( at least initially) not or only take place at a reduced pace on highways, the practical test was with this exercise vehicle usually held in the following tests at a driving school.

International driver's license

In Austria, the International driver's license of the two motorists ÖAMTC and ARBÖ, as well as from the Traffic Club Austria ( VCÖ ) is issued. Prerequisite for the application they need a valid driver's license Austrian ( old or EU driving license ) if you are resident in Austria or EEA driving license, regardless of whether the principal residence is in Austria. Holders of a non-EEA driving license without main residence in Austria can only apply for an international driver's license if their license, the issuing State is party to the Vienna, Geneva or Paris Agreement. To apply for a valid driver's license and a passport photo in original shall be submitted, the exhibition will be made ​​immediately on payment of a fee. Valid document is a year less one day.