Hello,
I'm getting mixed responses to this question. I know I will need to get a "vignette" or a pass in Germany before driving into Austria. But what about an international driver's license? I've been told it's not needed in Germany. Please advise about Austria and is it fairly easy to understand roadsigns in both countries?
thanks!
Lynne
I don't know what a vignette is but we always get an international driver's license when we plan to drive in Germany; usually through AAA. I've read that although it's really just a piece of paper and not much to it, it's a necessity when you get pulled over or other driving issue.
If you are just driving into Salzburg, you don't need a vignette unless you drive on a motorway. So if you got off the autobahn in Germany and drove into Salzburg on regular nonexpressway roads, you don't need it. But if you want to stay on the Autobahn and take the expressway into Salzburg, get one before you cross the border. They're pretty cheap for a short term one.
Go ahead and get an IDP. It acts as an official translation of your driver's license, which you must also have as well. I was asked for one the last time I rented a car in Germany, although it was at a small city location, not an international airport.
As Sam noted, you WILL need a Highway Tax Vignette for driving on the motorways in Austria. If you're caught without it, hefty fines will result and those are payable on the spot!
I don't believe an International Driver's Permit is needed for Germany, but it would probably be a good idea for Austria. Note that this is not a "license" per se, but a Permit which is used in conjunction with your home D.L.
Very good point. The international license is no substitute for the national one. You absolutely need to take your national driver's license. Learned that the hard way.
As for road signs, simply have a look at this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_signs_in_Germany
The no parking/ no stopping any time signs may be different from what you are familiar with. You don't say where you are coming from, but we don't, for instance, use curb color markings like in the U.S..
One other thing that is different from the U.S. is that if there are no signs saying otherwise, the vehicle coming from the right always has the right of way at an intersection. No "first come first go", or you'll have a lot of explaining to do to a nice police officer.
The IDP is mandatory in Austria, not required by law in Germany.
Hi Lynne,
I just did this in May with my wife. We flew into Frankfurt, rented (from Enterprise) and drove all through the Rhine, Bavaria, into Salzburg and then back to Frankfurt. I went to AAA and got an International Drivers Permit (it's just a booklet that tells a police officer how to find the info on your license in their language, and not really a license at all). I needed both it, my Washington State DL and a major credit card to rent my car.
The vignette is something you can buy from any gas station (there will be huge signs on the autobahn as you near the exit for said gas station) for roughly 10 euro. Fix it to your windshield and don't sweat the worry about getting a fine.
Road signs were fairly easy to figure out, but I also rented a GPS unit that really made it pretty simple. I was told where to turn well ahead of time and also alerted that I was speeding with an audible beep. This is something you will need to pay attention to, because speeds change all the time, both on the autobahn and the side roads.
All in all, I found driving in both countries very easy to do. Just remember that when you are on the autobahn, never pass on the right and stay out of the left lane (unless you are passing someone). Look in your rearview often to know when someone is flying up behind you and you'll be good to go!
Enjoy your trip!
RF
never pass on the right and stay out of the left lane (unless you are
passing someone)
Absolutely, that's one of the big differences in German and American driving rules. Unless you have a reason (passing someone), stay as far right as possible.
Passing on the right is only legal in slow traffic when lines of cars are moving alongside each other. In that case, the right line may occasionally move a bit faster than the left one, and passing is o.k..
In fast traffic, especially on the Autobahn, it's not a good idea at all and can get quite expensive or even relieve you of your license. Hogging one of the left lanes can also get expensive though if they catch you.
thank you all for your responses. Lots of good information! I think getting the IDL is a good idea now - just to be on the safe side. thank you too for the link to reading the German road signs. That will be a good way to become familiarized with them. Glad to hear that driving over there is easier than here! I will certainly stay to the right on the Autobahn - I was already planning on doing that! Such a great forum with very valuable information for travelers. thank you all for taking the time to help me out!
Lynne
I would get the international driver's license as it is required for freeways in Austria. Get in the US at AAA before you go. About $15-$20 and then you don't have to worry about staying off certain roads or being ticketed.
We also used our IDL as ID in some of the museum's when we rented audio guides - I felt better about leaving that then my passport.
We also used our IDL as ID in some of the museum's when we rented
audio guides - I felt better about leaving that then my passport.
That is a great idea since the IDL basically is a worthless piece of paper and easy to replace. I hate leaving my passport anywhere as a deposit. In Germany, as far as I am aware, it's actually illegal for non-official places like hotels or museums to require you to do that.
