How to Get a Driver's License in Austria?

Getting a driver’s licence in Austria follows a clear, well-organised process that runs through a driving school (Fahrschule) and the local licensing authority. Austria uses the EU’s harmonised licence categories, so the same category letters apply as elsewhere in Europe. Still, the training, medical checks, ages, and some special rules are set by Austrian law. This guide gives you the full picture: how the Austrian system works, every licence category, the steps to get one, the rules for professional drivers, and the features — such as the multi-phase training and the probationary period — that are specific to Austria. For eligibility details, see our licence eligibility page in Austria.

How the Austrian licence system works

In Austria, you train and apply through a driving school (or, for mopeds and motorcycles, sometimes a motoring club such as ÖAMTC or ARBÖ), and the licence itself is issued by the licensing authority — the Bezirkshauptmannschaft or, in cities, the Landespolizeidirektion. Once you pass, you receive a temporary licence so you can drive straight away, and your card licence (Scheckkartenführerschein) is posted to you, usually within 5 to 10 days. Because Austria applies the EU framework, your licence is recognised across the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. Our driving licence in Austria page is a good starting point.

The licence categories in Austria

Austrian licences use the standard EU categories, grouped by vehicle type:

• Mopeds and motorcycles — AM, A1, A2, A.
• Cars and light vehicles — B, BE (and F for tractors).
• Trucks (goods vehicles) — C1, C1E, C, CE.
• Buses and coaches — D1, D1E, D, DE.

Higher categories generally include the lower ones, and the trailer (“E”) variants add heavy-trailer towing.

The general steps to get a licence

Whatever category you want, the route follows the same shape: meet the minimum age, register with a driving school, pass the required medical, and, for most categories, complete a first-aid course, then complete the theory and practical training and pass the theory and practical exams. The driving school handles most of the paperwork with the authority as a one-stop shop.

Mopeds and motorcycles

The two-wheel ladder starts young in Austria. The AM moped licence is available from 15 and needs only a theory test — there is no practical driving exam. From 16, you can take A1 (light motorcycles up to 125 cc), then A2 (up to 35 kW) from 18, and full A from 20 by staged access or 24 by direct entry. A special Austrian feature is code 111, which allows a five-year car licence holder to ride a 125 after a short training session, with no exam.

The car licence: Category B

The car licence, Category B, is available from 18, or from 17 through the popular L17 accompanied-driving scheme, where training can begin at 15 and a half. Category B training combines classroom theory with practical driving lessons and, like the motorcycle categories, is subject to the multi-phase training and probationary period described below. It also covers small trailers, with BE adding a heavier trailer.

Trucks: C1, C1E, C and CE

The goods-vehicle categories run from C1 (3,500–7,500 kg) up to C (rigid trucks over 3,500 kg) and CE (articulated lorries). The minimum age for C is 21, or 18 if you hold the Code 95 professional qualification, and these categories require a stricter medical and are issued on a time-limited basis. See our driving licence in Austria page for the truck ladder.

Buses and coaches: D1, D1E, D and DE

The passenger categories run from D1 (minibuses of 9–16 seats) up to D (full buses and coaches) and DE (with a heavy trailer). D1 is available from 21 and full D from 24, or 21 with Code 95. Full Class D also requires a traffic-psychological screening and a longer 16-hour first-aid course, which is a distinctly Austrian requirement not needed for the minibus licence.

Code 95 for professional drivers

A licence lets you drive the vehicle; to drive a truck or bus for hire or reward, you also need Code 95, known in Austria as the Fahrerqualifizierungsnachweis (C95 for goods, D95 for passengers). It involves an initial qualification and 35 hours of periodic training every five years, and holding it also lowers the minimum age for the truck and bus categories. Read our guide to Code 95 in Austria.

Tachograph rules

Professional driving also brings tachograph obligations—the tachograph records driving time, breaks, and rest periods, enforcing the EU rules on drivers’ hours. Professional drivers use a driver card and must follow the hours rules. Our guide to tachographs in Austria explains how they work.

The medical examination

Most categories require a medical certificate (ärztliches Gutachten) confirming fitness to drive, including an eyesight check, and it must be no more than 18 months old at the time the licence is granted. The car and motorcycle categories use a lighter standard, while the truck and bus categories require a fuller medical (costing around €50) that is repeated at each renewal. Full Class D additionally requires a traffic-psychological screening.

The first-aid course

A first-aid course is required for most categories. It is a six-hour course for the car, motorcycle and most other classes, rising to 16 hours for the full bus categories, Class D and DE. A first-aid course you have already completed remains valid, as it does not expire.

The multi-phase training

A hallmark of the Austrian system is the multi-phase training (Mehrphasenausbildung), which is compulsory the first time you gain a car or motorcycle licence. After you pass, you complete a driving-safety training and, for motorcycles, a perfection ride, within a set period. It is done only once, and missing it can lead to the licence being withdrawn, so it is important to book it in good time.

The probationary period

New drivers are subject to a three-year probationary period (Probezeit), during which a strict 0.1 alcohol limit applies. Serious offences during probation trigger a compulsory retraining course and extend the probationary period by a further year. The same 0.1 limit applies to truck and bus drivers and to moped riders under 20.

How long is a licence valid?

Car and motorcycle licences carry the standard 15-year document validity — you renew the card, not your entitlement. The truck and bus categories are issued on a time-limited basis, normally five years (two years from age 60), and renewal requires a fresh medical — without it, the class expires.

Foreign licences and residence

Austria recognises licences from across the EEA. If you take up residence in Austria — generally staying at least 185 days — you may need to convert or register a non-Austrian licence, and licences from outside the EEA follow separate rules. Check the current requirements with the authority before you drive on a foreign licence long term.

Starting a professional driving career

For many people, the licence ladder is the route into a career. With a truck or bus licence and Code 95, you can work as a professional driver in Austria and across Europe, where demand is strong, and many operators help fund training. Explore current driver jobs and live vacancies to see what employers are offering.

Take the next step

Whether you are starting on a moped, learning to drive a car, or aiming for a professional truck or bus licence, Austria gives you a clear ladder to climb. When you are ready, register in the driver section, browse vacancies, and see what employers are hiring for on FastDriver.eu.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Licence categories, ages, medical standards, training requirements and fees can change and may vary by case and by authority in Austria. Always confirm the current rules with the official Austrian government sources before making decisions. The authoritative information is on the government’s oesterreich.gv.at driving licence and licence categories pages, and the EU framework is in the EUR-Lex text of Directive (EU) 2025/2205. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for actions taken based on this information.