Speeding and Penalties in Austria

As in many other places, speeding drivers in Austria are often fined. Since September 1, 2021, stricter penalties have been in effect, and the amount of many fines has more than doubled.

Penalties for Speeding on Highways

In Austria, the maximum speed on all highways is 130 km/h. For climate protection reasons, however, lower values can be set on certain sections.

The amount of the fine depends on how much you exceed the 130 km/h speed limit. In the table below, we have summarized the amount of fines:

• Speeding 0–20 km/h: Fine €70
• Speeding 21–30 km/h: Fine €150
• Speeding 31 km/h or more: Legal proceedings, up to €5,000 fine

In case of participation in illegal races, your driver’s license can be revoked for up to six months, and a traffic psychology examination can also be ordered afterward. The car can also be confiscated if the act is classified as “dangerous speeding under hazardous conditions”

Speeding Penalties on Highways and in Residential Areas

For cars, the speed limit is generally 100 km/h on highways and 50 km/h in populated areas. However, there are exceptions, such as near schools and kindergartens, where you will definitely encounter speed limits, and the permitted speed can be significantly lower in the inner areas of cities. These are always indicated.

In Austria, there is no uniform fine rate for speeding. We have to pay different amounts for the same traffic violation depending on which province or administrative district we are in.

In the tables below, we have summarized the extent of penalties on populated areas and highways:

• Speeding 0–20 km/h: Fine in urban area €30–€60 – Fine on highways €30–€50
• Speeding 21–30 km/h: Fine in urban area €80–€100 – Fine on highways €50–€90
• Speeding 31–40 km/h: Fine in urban area €70–€160 – Fine on highways €140–€160
• Speeding 41 km/h or more: Fine in urban area over €160 – Fine on highways €150–€300

If we drive 50 km/h faster than the speed limit, we can receive a fine of up to 600 euros. In urban areas, if we exceed the speed limit by more than 40 km/h, and on highways by more than 50 km/h, our driver’s license can be suspended for two to four weeks.

Driver’s License Revocation for Speeding

In populated areas and highways, depending on the extent of speeding, we may also face license suspension. The tables below summarize the duration of license suspension:

In Populated Areas:

• Speeding 41–60 km/h: license suspension 1 month
• Speeding 61–80 km/h: license suspension at least 3 months
• Speeding 81 km/h or more: license suspension at least 6 months

On Highways:

• Speeding 51–70 km/h: license suspension 1 month
• Speeding 71–90 km/h: license suspension at least 3 months
• Speeding 91 km/h or more: license suspension at least 6 months

Repeated Violations:

In case of repeated violations, stricter penalties can be expected:

• Populated areas, 41–60 km/h: license suspension at least 3 months (previously 6 weeks)
• Highways, 51–70 km/h: license suspension at least 3 months (previously 6 weeks)
• Further violations: license suspension at least 6 months

If four years (previously two years) have passed since the last violation, the new violation is considered to be committed for the first time.