Speed limits

Maximum speed limits for different vehicle categories and locations
  Build-up areas Outside build-up areas Dual carriageways Motorways
Mopeds
City cars
Motor-scooters		 45 km/h 45 km/h – –
Motorcyles
Motor vehicles up to 3.500 kg max imum total (laden) weight		 50 km/h 100 km/h 100 km/h 130 km/h
Lorries up to 50 km/h 3,500 kg with a lightweight trailer (Class B) 50 km/h 100 km/h 100 km/h 100 km/h
Motor vehicles up to 3,500 kg maximum permitted total (laden) weight with any trailer, if the total maximum permitted laden weight of both vehicles does not exceed 3,500 kg
(Class B)		 50 km/h 80 km/h 100 km/h 100 km/h

Motor vehicles up to 3,500 kg maximum permitted total (laden) weight with any trailer approved for use with the vehicle concerned (Class BE)

 50 km/h 70 km/h 80 km/h 80 km/h
Motor vehicles over 3,500 kg maximal permitted total (laden) mass – including if they are towing a trailer
(Class C)		 50 km/h 70 km/h 80 km/h 80 km/h
Buses, except articulated buses 50 km/h 80 km/h 100 km/h 100 km/h
Motor vehicles and trailers fitted with studded tyres 50 km/h 80 km/h 100 km/h 100 km/h
Tractor units with a design speed of more than 50 km/h, if the maximum width of 2.55 m is exceeded. 50 km/h 50 km/h 50 km/h 50 km/h
Motor vehicles and trailers fitted with snow chains 50 km/h (recommended) 50 km/h (recommended) 50 km/h (recommended) 50 km/h (recommended)
When towing other vehicles using ropes, rods, towing dollies or towing cranes 40 km/h 40 km/h 40 km/h until the next junction 40 km/h until the next junction

In addition to the maximum speed limits given above, there are a number of other special circumstances in which a maximum speed limit is mandated by law. Examples include the 60 km/h speed limit for certain types of lorries/heavy goods vehicles at night (→ USP) or the ordinance imposing speed limits on certain motorways at night (Verordnung über Geschwindigkeitsbeschränkungen auf bestimmten Autobahnen zur Nachtzeit).

Speed limits under the Austrian Air Pollution Control Act (Immissionsschutzgesetz) (IG-L)

In accordance with the Air Pollution Control Act, provincial governors have the power to set speed limits in areas undergoing redevelopment/building work. These speed limits can be imposed permanently or applied flexibly on motorways and highways. The road signage for the affected areas includes an additional panel marked "Immissionsschutzgesetz-Luft" or "IG-L" (i.e., "Pollution Control Act").

Speed limits imposed under the IG-L on motorways and/or highways do not apply to vehicles with green registration plates if the signage explicitly states they are exempt (for example, if the sign says "IG-L Geschwindigkeitsbeschränkung gilt nicht für Fahrzeuge mit Kennzeichentafeln gemäß § 49 Abs. 4 Z 5 KFG 1967") [Pollution Control Act speed limit does not apply for vehicles with green registration plates pursuant to Section 49, para. 4 (2) (5) of the Austrian Motor Vehicles Act 1967]. In this situation, drivers of vehicles with green registration plates can continue to drive at the speed limit that would apply to the road if the IG-L speed limit were not in force.

Advice

Green registration plates are special registration plates issued under Section 49, (4) (5) of the Austrian Motor Vehicles Act 1967 for vehicles that are driven entirely by electric drive systems or hydrogen fuel cell technology (classes L, M1, M2, M3, N1, N2 and N3). Owners/keepers of these vehicles in Austria have been able to choose these green registration plates voluntarily since 1 April 2017. Owners/keepers of eligible vehicles registered before this date can apply to switch their registration plates to green plates. The system makes these vehicles more visible, which makes it easier for provinces, cities and local councils to create additional incentives and benefits to encourage their use.

Legal basis

Certified Translation
Last update: 22 May 2024

Responsible for the content: Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology