COPY LINK

For members

DRIVING

What types of vehicles can you drive without a licence in Austria?

From e-bikes to moped cars, here's what you are allowed to drive without a license and the rules you should keep in mind.

Published: 19 June 2024 13:15 CEST

What types of vehicles can you drive without a licence in Austria?

Photo by Viktor Bystrov on Unsplash

You do not need a driving license to move around in Austria using your own vehicle – depending on the vehicle, that is.

Here, we list the vehicles that you are allowed to use without having a license.

Electric bicycles and scooters

Using an electric bike or an electric scooter is a convenient and sporty way to get around if you do not have a driving license.

You can ride an e-bike or an e-scooter alone from the age of 12. Younger children need to be accompanied by an adult (above 16 years old) and wear a helmet.

When it comes to e-bikes and e-scooters, the rated continuous power of the motor cannot exceed 250 watts, and the speed is not allowed to exceed 25 km per hour.

When riding, you are not allowed to have a blood alcohol level higher than 0.8 per mille, and if you want to make a call, it is only allowed if you use a hands-free device.

The vehicles should be used on bicycle paths but can also be taken on the road if there is no cycling path available and the road is not a highway.

Riding on the sidewalk is not allowed, similar to regular bicycles.

Mopeds

According to the law, a moped is a motorbike with an engine capacity of up to 50 cubic centimetres and a maximum design speed of 45 km per hour.

To drive a moped in Austria, you do not need a driving license, but you need a moped license, which you can obtain when you are 15 years old. You are allowed to start the training two months before your 15th birthday.

The training involves both practical and theoretical tests, and if you pass, you are allowed to ride on the roads with your moped.

Moped cars

Moped cars, also known as light quadricycles, are lightweight four-wheeled vehicles that do not require a driving license to drive.

If you are 15 years old and have a moped license, you can “upgrade” your license by completing six practical hours and obtaining a license also for driving a moped car. Alternatively, you can obtain a license only for driving a moped car.

Mopeds have a maximum speed of 45 km per hour and can weigh up to 425 kg when empty.

Popular brands of moped cars are Aixam, Ligier, Microcar, and Chatenet.

When driving mopeds and moped cars, a blood alcohol limit of 0.1 per mille applies to those under 20 years old. For those older, the limit is 0.5 per mille, as applied to regular cars.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Daniel Carlsson (@bydancar)

Where can you drive mopeds and moped cars?

Mopeds and moped cars can be driven anywhere where a moped is allowed. They are generally permitted on roads where the speed limit does not go beyond 50 km per hour. They can also be used on bicycle paths if not explicitly prohibited.

Roads and motorways are off-limits for mopeds and moped cars, as they do not meet the minimum speed requirement of 60 km per hour for these types of roads.

Member comments

Become a Member to leave a comment.

10 things you definitely should know if you cycle in Vienna

If you use a bike to get around in Vienna, it is important to be aware of a few rules and key tips so you stay safe, warm, dry and out of trouble with Austrian police.

Here are 10 things that you should think about before jumping on your bike in Vienna.

Autumn and winter weather can be tough – but so can summer

Vienna weather’s can be brutal sometimes both in the winter, and summer.

During autumn and winter, you will experience rain, wind, and sometimes even snow, although it usually does not last for long. This means you might need to prepare yourself for whatever comes during your ride.

A good idea is to always keep a waterproof and windproof jacket in your backpack and a cap that you can wear under your helmet in case of rain.

If snow is still on the ground, waiting a while before jumping on your bike is better, given the streets may be slippery. Since snow tends to melt quickly in Vienna, you will probably not have to wait long.

Cycling in extreme heat during summer—as heatwaves become longer, harsher, and more common—is also not advised. On days when temperatures are forecast to go over 30C, it might be better to leave the bike at home.

Don’t forget your lights

In Vienna (and Austria in general), you must use front and rear lights when riding during darker hours and during times of reduced visibility, such as fog or heavy rain.

If you do not use bike lights, you put yourself at risk and face a fine of over €20 if caught. Some Vienna police officers are especially vigilant about catching bikers breaking the rules.

Look for the bike lanes

While biking around Vienna, you often ride alongside cars, trams, and buses. Many cycle lanes are available, but they are not everywhere, and sometimes, you may need to take a longer route to your destination if you want to avoid sharing the road with cars.

A good idea is to check where the bike paths are located and plan your route ahead of time to stay on dedicated paths as much as possible.

Although most car drivers in Vienna tend to show respect to cyclists, complex situations can take place on busy streets, especially during rush hours (mornings and late afternoons after work).

Exploring Vienna by bike during quieter times, such as Sunday mornings, is a good idea to get to know the city, its biking paths, and different roads better.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Charlota Kolar Blunarova (@charlotablunarova)

Do not leave your bike outside overnight

Vienna is not known for being a city where bikes are often stolen, but it can definitely happen. According to the VCÖ, an Austrian public welfare organisation specializing in mobility and transport, 6,328 bikes were stolen in the Austrian capital last year, a decrease of almost seven percent from the year before but still the highest number in Austria in absolute figures.

A good idea is to always bring your bike into your basement, inner yard, or even your flat during the night.

Always lock your parked bike, even if you only go into a shop briefly, the VCÖ says. When locking up, ensure the frame and lock are attached to a bicycle bracket.

“If only the front wheel is attached to the bike stand, there is a risk that the bike will be removed and the rest of the bike stolen,” explained VCÖ spokesperson Christian Gratzer.

The organisation adds that people should replace the quick release on the saddle and front wheel with safety bolts and use a high-quality bicycle lock.

Always bring some tools with you

While riding around, it is not unlikely that something sometimes breaks, falls off, or starts causing problems. Therefore, it is important to always carry a small kit of the most essential tools with you, such as small screwdrivers and a compact bike pump.

The city has spots with bike pumps in some places, but since you never know when you might need one, it’s a good idea to bring your own.

If you don’t know how to repair minor issues with bikes, such as fixing a flat tire, watching YouTube videos can help.

Watch out for the electric scooters

You are likely to sometimes consider electric scooters as your worst enemies.

They move quickly, can be very quiet, share your lane, and are often ridden by people in groups. Many electric scooter riders tend to change speed quickly.

However, as long as you notice them in time, it should not be a bigger problem.

Avoid drinking too much alcohol

Just like with driving, cycling while under the influence of alcohol is not allowed in Austria. So, you will be fined if you are caught over the limit.

In fact, cyclists are only allowed up to 0.4mg of alcohol per litre of breath. If a breathalyser detects more alcohol in your system, you will be fined based on how much you have consumed.

From 0.4mg: €800 to €3,700 fine
From 0.6mg: €1,200 to €4,400
From 0.8mg: €1,600 to €5,900
Refusal to test: €1,600 to €5,900

As well as a fine, cyclists can lose a driving licence if caught cycling while drunk. According to the federal government, this is because “riding a bicycle while intoxicated can be an indication of a lack of traffic reliability”. Because of that, authorities may determine that you are not fit to drive and, therefore, revoke your driver’s licence.

Do not use a bike with thin tyres

Since Vienna is a city filled with tram lanes, using tyres that fit well into them can be dangerous.

In the city, it is almost unavoidable not to ride where you have to cross tram lanes or ride next to them.

Using slightly thicker tyres can make your trip safer. But if you absolutely want to ride your racing bike with thin tires, that should also be safe, as long as you always watch where you go.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Martin Hieslmair (@hejhim)

Vienna is sometimes hilly

Vienna is not completely flat; if you go higher up in districts such as Ottakring, Hernals, and Währing, you might feel like you are getting a bit of a workout.

During Viennese hot summers, this workout might make you arrive somewhat sweaty at your destination. If you want to avoid this, it is important to plan to wear breathable clothes, bring an extra set, or bike so slowly that you barely start sweating.

Also, it is good to remember that you are allowed to take your bike on the metro outside of rush hours.

Pedestrians share paths with bikes

In many parts of the city, such as along the Ringstraße surrounding the inner district, bikers share paths with pedestrians, sometimes leading to stressful situations.

Many pedestrians do not watch out for bikes, change their walking patterns, or might be listening to music. It is therefore very important to pay attention to your surroundings when you ride in this part of the city.

Take the red lights into consideration

If the light is red, you are not allowed to go through it, even if there are no cars or pedestrians crossing your route.

Another important thing regarding traffic lights is that, if you are unlucky, you might have to wait for the green light multiple times during your bike trip, which could make you arrive later than expected.

A good idea is to start a little earlier to avoid arriving late if you are going somewhere important.

SHOW COMMENTS

Url copied to clipboard!