( 19/01/2013 ➔ )
Driving licence exchange in Austria
If you are planning on obtaining an Austrian driving licence we would be glad to help! However, doing it yourself may also be an option if you are already in Austria and have a driving licence thats valid for exchange there. If you do not then please contact us as we may be able to help you obtain a driving licence from another country that can be used or exchanged in Austria. Here is some information regarding Austrian driving licences and exchange procedures to get you started.
Specifications:
Physical description Size 85 x 54 mm Format ID-1 Material Polycarbonate, credit card style Colour Pink Distinctive features German language Security features Kinegram stripe Location On page 1 Embossing Location On page 1 Variable laser image Location On page 1 Optically variable ink Location On page 2 Categories Category Period of validity AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE 15 years C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE Until 60: 5 years; above 60: 2 years (F) National categories National category Description of national category (F) Agricultural tractors and other special machines and vehicles Professional drivers Certificate of professional competence is issued NO Code 95 is marked on the driving licence YES
https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/content/139/Seite.1390000.html
Foreign driving licences in Austria – validity and transfer Although driving licences issued in the EU and EEA are recognized in Austria they can also be transferred voluntarily to an Austrian licence. The following regulations apply to a licence issued by a non-EEA state: • If the holder takes up residency in Austria the licence will remain valid for a period of 6 months after residency is registered as long as the holder is at least 18 years old. • If the holder does not take up residency in Austria the licence will remain valid for a period of 12 months after the holder has entered the country as long as he or she is at least 18 years old. National driving licences that are not issued in the German language are only valid if they correspond with the Geneva or Vienna Convention or the EU driver's license directive or are used in conjunction with an international driving licence or a recognized translation (e. g. from the ÖAMTC). Foreigners from a non-EEA state with a registered address in Austria must have their licence transferred within 6 months: 1. Licences issued by one of the following non-EEA states are considered as equivalent to an Austrian driver's licence and can therefore be transferred under simplified conditions: For all classes: Andorra, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland. For Class B licences: Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hong Kong, Israel, Canada, Macedonia, Republic of South Africa, Republic of South Korea (if the license was issued after 1.1.1997), United Arab Emirates, USA. 2. Holders of driving licences from other non-EEA states must pass a practical examination. An examination fee must be paid for the practical examination. Austrian citizens who have acquired a driving licence outside of the EEA are also obligated to have it transferred to an Austrian license. L 911580 | G 0682_12 ÖAMTC Legal Service: Member Information 2 Competent authority: A regional police department at the place of residence or the traffic authority in Vienna, or a district administration authority at the place of residence = a Bezirkshauptmannschaft or Magistrat. Foreign driving licences can be transferred at any driving licence authority anywhere in Austria regardless of the place of residence. Required documents: • Driving licence application • Birth certificate • Official identity document • Old foreign driver's license • Translation of the foreign driving licence (available from the ÖAMTC – free of charge for members, non-members pay € 18,-) • Passport photograph 35 x 45 mm • Medical certificate Note: applications submitted in Vienna must include the original passport and original driving licence plus two photocopies of each. Driving licences will be issued in credit card format only. Costs (excluding examination fees): € 60.50 Hand in your old driving licence to an authority and you will receive a preliminary driving licence in return. (Preliminary driving licences are only valid in Austria.) The new driving licence will be delivered by mail.