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Road rules abroad

What to carry

What you must carry in your car in Austria

A hire car does not always come with these. Check the boot before you drive away. Every item links to the official source it was checked against, with the date.

Required by law

What you must carry in the car

  • First aid kit
  • Warning triangle
  • High-visibility vest

The first aid kit is the one people forget. A hire car does not always have all three — check before you drive away. Only the driver's vest is required, though ÖAMTC advises carrying one for every person in the car.

Checked 19 Aug 2026 · official source

Looking to rent a car? Make sure you ask the rental company to show you the equipment is in the car before you leave. Not every hire car comes with it. We earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.

Winter equipment

Tyres and chains are equipment too, and the rules usually apply only between set dates or on signed roads.

Winter tyres

Required whenever the road is icy or snowy

Not a date rule. Inside the winter season a car may only be driven in wintry conditions — snow, slush or ice on the road — with winter tyres on all four wheels. Snow chains on at least two driven wheels are the alternative. Ask the hire company what the car is fitted with.

Checked 16 Aug 2026 · official source

When winter tyre rules apply

1 November to 15 April

Checked 16 Aug 2026 · official source