Comprehensive Austrian vignette guidance — from purchase to compliance.
VignetteDrive Austria provides a structured, multi-channel information service covering every aspect of the Austrian motorway vignette. Our service is designed for European drivers who need reliable, plain-language guidance without having to navigate complex official documentation.
Our core service areas include: vignette type selection, purchase channel comparison, digital vignette registration guidance, special toll route identification, enforcement and penalty information, and complaint handling procedures.
All information is provided free of charge. We do not require registration or payment to access any content on this website. Our goal is to reduce the number of inadvertent vignette violations by European travellers through better pre-journey information.
The digital vignette (Digitale Vignette) was introduced by ASFINAG as a paperless alternative to the traditional windscreen sticker. It is linked to your vehicle's licence plate number and is enforced through automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at motorway entry points.
Visit the official ASFINAG website or use the ASFINAG app. Select your vehicle category, validity period, and enter your licence plate number exactly as it appears on your registration document.
You can purchase up to 18 days in advance. The vignette becomes active on your chosen start date at 00:00 CET. You cannot backdate a digital vignette.
A confirmation email is sent immediately. Save this email as proof of purchase. The vignette is registered in ASFINAG's database within minutes.
Your licence plate is automatically read by ANPR cameras. No windscreen sticker is required. Ensure your plates are clean and clearly legible.
If you need to cancel, you may do so within 18 days of purchase, provided the start date has not yet been reached. Contact ASFINAG customer services directly.
The physical vignette sticker must be applied correctly to be valid. Incorrect placement is treated the same as having no vignette by enforcement officers.
The standard vignette does not cover all toll roads in Austria. Several high-cost infrastructure routes require an additional special toll (Sondermaut) on top of a valid vignette.
| Route | Type | Approximate Toll (Car) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brenner Motorway (A13) | Distance toll | €10–€12 one way | Major Alpine crossing to Italy |
| Arlberg Road Tunnel (S16) | Tunnel toll | €10–€11 one way | Connects Vorarlberg and Tyrol |
| Karawanken Tunnel (A11) | Tunnel toll | €8–€9 one way | Austria–Slovenia border crossing |
| Tauern Motorway (A10) | Tunnel toll | €13–€14 one way | Salzburg to Carinthia |
| Pyhrn Motorway (A9) | Section toll | €6–€8 one way | Gleinalm and Bosruck tunnels |
Always check your planned route against the Service Area page for a complete list of special toll sections relevant to your journey.
| Item | Included in Vignette | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard motorway (A-roads) access | ✅ Yes | All standard A-roads covered |
| Expressway (S-roads) access | ✅ Yes | Most S-roads included |
| Brenner Motorway (A13) | ❌ No | Separate distance toll required |
| Arlberg Tunnel (S16) | ❌ No | Separate tunnel toll required |
| Karawanken Tunnel (A11) | ❌ No | Separate tunnel toll required |
| Tauern Motorway (A10) | ❌ No | Separate section toll required |
| Pyhrn Motorway tunnels (A9) | ❌ No | Gleinalm and Bosruck tunnels extra |
| Motorcycles (same validity) | ✅ Yes (lower price) | Motorcycle-specific vignette category |
| Towed trailer/caravan | ✅ Yes | Covered by the towing vehicle's vignette |
| Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes | ❌ No | GO-Maut system applies instead |
| Electric vehicles | ✅ Yes | Same rules as combustion vehicles |
| Diplomatic vehicles | ✅ Yes (exempt) | CD plates exempt from vignette requirement |
| Emergency vehicles | ✅ Yes (exempt) | Police, fire, ambulance exempt |
| Construction/maintenance vehicles | ✅ Yes (exempt) | ASFINAG-authorised vehicles exempt |
| # | Factor | Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trip duration | 10-day for short visits; annual for frequent travellers |
| 2 | Vehicle type | Car, motorcycle, or vehicle over 3.5t (GO-Maut) |
| 3 | Route complexity | Check for special toll sections on your planned route |
| 4 | Purchase timing | Digital can be bought 18 days in advance; physical at border |
| 5 | Preference for paperless | Digital eliminates sticker application errors |
| 6 | Multiple trips in a year | Annual vignette often more cost-effective than two 2-month ones |
| 7 | Rental vehicle | Check if rental company has pre-purchased vignette |
| 8 | Foreign licence plate | Digital vignette works for all EU and non-EU plates |
| 9 | Payment method | Online accepts major cards; physical retailers may be cash-only |
| 10 | Cancellation need | Digital vignette cancellable; physical sticker non-refundable once applied |
| 11 | Windscreen condition | Damaged windscreen may require digital vignette instead |
| 12 | Group travel | Each vehicle requires its own vignette |