Austrian Vignette Policies — Rules & Regulations

Legal Basis

The Austrian motorway vignette system is governed by the following primary legislation:

• Bundesstraßen-Mautgesetz 2002 (BStMG) — Federal Road Toll Act, the primary legislation establishing the vignette obligation
• Straßenverkehrsordnung 1960 (StVO) — Road Traffic Act, governing enforcement and penalties
• Verwaltungsstrafgesetz 1991 (VStG) — Administrative Penalties Act, governing the fine procedure

ASFINAG operates under a concession agreement with the Austrian federal government and is authorised to collect motorway tolls under the BStMG. The vignette obligation applies to all roads designated as motorways (Autobahnen) or expressways (Schnellstraßen) under Austrian federal law.

Driver Obligations

Under Austrian law, the driver of a motor vehicle is responsible for ensuring a valid vignette is present when using vignette-required roads. Key obligations include:

• Ensure a valid vignette is present before entering any motorway or expressway
• For sticker vignettes: affix correctly to the inside of the windscreen before use
• For digital vignettes: ensure the correct licence plate number is registered
• Ensure the vignette is valid for the correct vehicle category
• Ensure the vignette validity period covers the entire duration of motorway use
• Pay any applicable special tolls on special toll sections
• Cooperate with enforcement officers during checks

Enforcement Methods

Austrian vignette enforcement uses multiple methods:

Fine Structure

Fines are set under the BStMG and VStG. The on-the-spot reduced fine is available only if paid immediately. Formal fines are issued by the relevant district administrative authority.

Exemptions

The following vehicles are exempt from the vignette obligation under Austrian law:

• Emergency vehicles (police, ambulance, fire brigade) on official duty
• Military vehicles on official duty
• Vehicles with diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
• Vehicles over 7.5t GVW (subject to GO-BOX system)
• Agricultural and forestry vehicles used exclusively for agricultural/forestry purposes
• Vehicles temporarily exempt under special ASFINAG dispensation

Exemptions must be verifiable upon request. Claiming an exemption without valid grounds is treated as a vignette violation.

Special Toll Section Policies

Special toll sections (Sondermautstrecken) are governed by separate regulations from the general vignette system. Key policy points:

• Special tolls are payable in addition to the vignette — the vignette does not waive the special toll
• Special tolls are collected at toll booths on the respective sections
• Failure to pay a special toll is a separate offence from a vignette violation
• Some special toll sections offer multi-journey passes or season tickets
• Prices for special toll sections are set independently by the respective operators

Appeals Process

1. Immediate objection: At the time of the fine, verbally object and request a formal written notice (Organstrafverfügung).
2. Written objection: Submit within 4 weeks of the formal notice to the issuing authority. Include all evidence.
3. Administrative appeal: If rejected, appeal to the district administrative authority (Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde).
4. Administrative Court: Further appeal to the Verwaltungsgericht (Administrative Court).
5. Supreme Administrative Court: Final appeal to the Verwaltungsgerichtshof in exceptional cases.

Complaints — Contacts and Procedures

For complaints about the vignette system, the following contacts apply: