AustriavsSwitzerland
Austria and Switzerland share a land border — here's how their driving rules differ, side by side.
VERIFIED 2026-07-29 & 2026-07-29 · METHODOLOGY| RULE | Austria | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Driving side | Drives on the right | Drives on the right |
| Urban speed limit | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural speed limit | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Motorway speed limit | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Alcohol limit (general) | 0.5‰ | 0.5‰ |
| Alcohol limit (novice) | 0.1‰ | 0.1‰ |
| Mandatory equipment | Warning triangle, Hi-vis vest, First aid kit | Warning triangle |
| Tolls | Vignette | Vignette |
| Headlights | Dipped headlights mandatory at all times, day and night, year-round. | Dipped headlights (or daytime running lights) are required at all times, day and night. |
| Winter tires / chains | From 1 November to 15 April, winter tires (or chains fitted when required) are mandatory whenever roads are snowy, icy, or covered in slush — it's condition-based within that window, not a blanket date rule. | Winter tires aren't mandated by a fixed calendar date, but driving without appropriate winter equipment in wintry conditions can affect fault/liability if it contributes to an incident, and chains may be required (signed) on some Alpine passes. |
| Low-emission / restricted zones | No nationwide low-emission zone network; some Alpine routes and tunnels have separate driving bans for older or high-emission trucks, and Vienna has limited local restrictions. | No nationwide low-emission zone network; some town centers and Alpine resort areas restrict general traffic access at certain times. |
| Child seats | Children under 14 and shorter than 150 cm must use an approved child restraint suited to their age, height, and weight. | Children under 12 and shorter than 150 cm must use an approved child restraint suited to their size. |
| Mobile phone use | Hands-free only; holding a phone while driving is prohibited. | Hands-free only; holding a phone while driving is prohibited. |
| Currency | EUR | CHF |
| Emergency number | 112 | 112 |