Austria tightens and eases driving licence rules from September

Changes to Austria’s driving licence law will take effect on September 1, ORF reported, introducing both stricter penalties and shorter waiting periods for drivers.

Anyone caught cheating in the driving test will have to wait 18 months before taking it again, compared with nine months previously. Those who fail the test, however, will be allowed to retake it after 12 days instead of two weeks.

The rules for driving licences in categories C and D will also change. From the age of 60, licences will be valid for five years. Previously, drivers had to renew them every two years from that age.

International driving licences will also be valid for three years instead of the current period. Such a licence is required or recommended outside the European Union in about 150 countries.

Drivers who lose their licence or have it stolen will be able to use the police report as temporary driving authorisation for eight weeks. The report was previously valid for four weeks.

The rules on giving up driving entitlements will also change. Anyone who gives up all driving entitlements must surrender the licence in full. In the case of a partial surrender, a new licence listing the remaining categories will be issued.