Austria vignette

If you want to buy a vignette for more than one car at the same time, please contact us. It is not necessary to enter each registration mark separately – In your message, please list the registration marks you wish to register, the length of stay in the state(s) and the date of the start of validity.

If a mistake is made in entering the registration number when purchasing a vignette, no changes can be made to the details, including the registration number, once the vignette has started to be valid. So if a mistake is made, you need to buy a new vignette with the correct details. It is important to note that the original vignette, even if not used, will not be returned and no refund will be given.

You do not need to have an active vignette when entering Austria. When entering any toll section, yes. Given that vignette checks are carried out using automatic number plate readers, we do not recommend buying a vignette at the motorway. Only a vignette that is active before you first enter the motorway will protect you from possible fines.

You don’t have to. The digital highway stamp is linked to your number plate. Toll gates or police patrols will automatically determine the validity of your stamp with the help of your license plate.

Within 5-10 minutes of payment we send an email with the activation of the stamp. If you have not received a confirmation email, please check your bulk mail or SPAM folder first. If you do not find the stamp here, please contact us. Thank you

For a better understanding of the rules regarding the vignettes in Austria for different types of vehicles, I will rephrase the information into a more understandable form:

Passenger Car with Trailer or Caravan

• Main vehicle: Passenger car.
• Weight limit: If the car weighs up to 3.5 tonnes.
• Rule for the vignette: You only need a vignette valid for a passenger car.
• Trailer weight: the weight of the trailer or caravan being towed is irrelevant in this case.

Motorcycle with Sidecar

• Main vehicle: Motorcycle.
• Sidecar: It is considered a trailer.
• Rule for the vignette: The requirement to have a vignette does not apply to a sidecar. For a motorcycle, a motorcycle vignette is sufficient.

This summary provides a clearer overview of which vignettes are needed for different combinations of vehicles and their trailers when travelling on Austrian motorways.

The Austrian police uses several methods to check the validity of highway signs without the need to stop vehicles. These methods include:

1. Cameras and monitoring systems: Special cameras and monitoring systems are installed on Austrian motorways, which automatically check whether vehicles passing through the motorway have a valid motorway stamp. These systems are capable of quickly scanning and identifying marks on vehicle windshields.
2. Automatic recognition: The technology of automatic recognition can detect whether the vehicle has a highway plate and whether it is valid. This technology may include recognition of color, text and other specific features of marks.
3. Digital highway signs: In Austria, it is also possible to purchase digital highway signs that are linked to the vehicle registration plate. In this case, the systems check the validity of the stamp through the vehicle database without the need to physically check the stamp on the vehicle.
4. Mobile checks: In addition to stationary checkpoints, the Austrian authorities can also carry out mobile checks of the validity of highway signs. This includes the use of mobile control units that can be deployed at various points on the highways.
• It is important to bear in mind that although this technology allows for efficient and quick checks, there is still the possibility that you will be stopped for a manual check by the traffic police if deemed necessary. Therefore, it is always important to have a valid highway stamp correctly placed on the vehicle.

The Austrian motorway stamp must become valid the moment you enter an Austrian motorway or expressway that requires a motorway stamp. This means that before using the toll road infrastructure in Austria, you should have the stamp already purchased and correctly placed on the vehicle.

Important points to watch out for:

1. Validity date: When purchasing a highway stamp, you must choose the date from which the stamp is to be valid. You should make sure that the validity date corresponds to the date you plan to use Austrian motorways and expressways.
2. Correct placement: The highway sign must be correctly placed on the vehicle. It is usually glued to the inside of the windshield. If the stamp is misplaced or if you don’t have it at all, you can be fined.
3. Purchase in advance: The stamp can be purchased in advance, online or at various points of sale such as petrol stations, post offices or borders.

If you plan to enter the Austrian highways on the day the stamp starts to be valid, the stamp should be valid from this date. If you enter the motorway before the official start of the stamp, you risk a fine for driving without a valid motorway stamp.

If the police in Austria stop you for speeding and decide to give you a fine on the spot, it’s important to stay calm and proceed as follows:

1. Keep calm and be polite: Communicate with police officers calmly and respectfully. Aggressive or hostile behavior can make the situation worse.
2. Listen to the police instructions: The police officers will explain why you were stopped and how much fine you have to pay. It is important to listen carefully and follow their instructions.
3. Ask for an explanation of the fine: You can ask about the details of the offense and the amount of the fine. In Austria, fines for traffic offenses are often fixed according to the type and degree of the offence.
4. Find out the payment options: Sometimes it is possible to pay the fine directly on the spot, in cash or by card. If you do not have enough cash with you, the police may offer alternative payment methods, such as a bank transfer.
5. Get a proof of payment: If you pay the fine on the spot, make sure you get a proof of payment. This confirmation is important for any future misunderstandings or complaints.
6. Don’t try to negotiate or bribe: Trying to negotiate the amount of the fine or offering a bribe can be considered a criminal offence.
7. Accept the situation and learn from it: Although the fine is unpleasant, it is important to take it as an opportunity to learn and obey the speed limits in the future.

If you are unsure about the legality of the request or the behavior of the police, you can note the names and service numbers of the officers and contact the relevant authority later for further information or to file a complaint.