Frequently Asked Questions

A digital vignette (digitale Vignette) is an electronic toll sticker required for most motorways and expressways in Austria. Instead of a physical sticker on your windscreen, your vehicle's registration number is stored in a central database, confirming your payment. You need one because it's mandatory for all vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (including motorcycles) when using toll roads in Austria. Failing to display a valid physical vignette or have a registered digital vignette can result in significant fines.

The digital vignette offers convenience, as it's linked to your number plate, eliminating the need to scrape off old stickers or worry about proper placement. It's especially useful for rental cars or vehicles frequently crossing borders. You can purchase them for various durations: 10 days, 2 months, or a full year.

When purchasing a digital vignette as a consumer (non-business), there is a mandatory 18-day consumer protection cooling-off period before the vignette becomes valid. This period is designed to allow consumers to withdraw from the purchase if they change their mind. However, if you are purchasing the vignette as a business or you explicitly waive your right to the cooling-off period (which some online providers allow for immediate validity, though this is less common for direct ASFINAG purchases), it can become valid immediately. We recommend planning your purchase well in advance of your travel date to ensure your vignette is active when you need it, especially if you are a private individual.

For immediate travel needs, some service providers might offer solutions that bypass this waiting period, typically by purchasing the vignette on your behalf as a business. Always check the terms and conditions carefully when seeking immediate activation.

Corridor tolls, also known as route-specific tolls or special toll routes (Sondermautstrecken), are additional charges for using specific tunnels, passes, or mountain roads that incur higher construction and maintenance costs. These are separate from, and in addition to, the general vignette requirement. Even if you have a valid digital vignette, you will still need to pay these separate tolls if your route takes you through one of these corridors.

Examples include the Brenner Pass (A13), Tauern Tunnel (A10), Arlberg Tunnel (S16), and the Karawanken Tunnel (A11). You can pay these tolls on-site at the toll booths, or more conveniently, purchase a digital route toll online in advance. Digital route tolls are linked to your number plate, similar to digital vignettes, and can often be purchased for single or multiple trips.

Yes, absolutely! For frequent travellers or those planning multiple journeys through the same special toll routes, multi-trip passes offer both convenience and potential cost savings. For instance, for the Brenner Motorway (A13), you can purchase a "Jahreskarte" (annual pass) or specific multi-trip cards (e.g., 10-trip cards) that are valid for a certain period.

These passes are usually linked to your vehicle's registration number, allowing for barrier-free passage through designated lanes. This saves time at toll stations and can be more economical than paying for individual trips. Availability and terms vary by corridor, so it's always best to check the specific options for the route you intend to use repeatedly. TollPass Connect can guide you to the correct options for your planned itinerary.

Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes maximum permissible gross weight, including lorries, buses, and heavier motorhomes, do not use vignettes. Instead, they are required to use an electronic toll system called GO-Box. The GO-Box is an on-board unit that automatically records the tolls incurred based on the distance travelled, the number of axles, and the vehicle's emission class.

You must obtain a GO-Box before entering Austrian toll roads. These can be acquired at various sales outlets near the border or online. The box needs to be correctly installed and operational to avoid fines. Furthermore, specific driving bans (e.g., night-time, weekend, or holiday bans for heavy goods vehicles) and environmental zone restrictions might apply, especially around urban areas. It is crucial to research these additional requirements thoroughly if you are driving a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes.

Functionally, there is no difference in the digital vignette itself; it's linked to the vehicle's number plate regardless of ownership. However, when renting a car in Austria or a neighbouring country for travel into Austria, it's crucial to clarify whether the rental vehicle already has a valid vignette. Many rental companies operating in Austria will include the cost of a valid vignette in their rental fees, or the car will already be equipped with one.

Always confirm this with your rental provider to avoid purchasing an unnecessary vignette or, worse, facing a fine for not having one. If the rental car does not come with a vignette, you are responsible for purchasing one. Remember the 18-day cooling-off period for private purchases if you plan to buy it yourself online.

Driving on Austrian toll roads without a valid vignette or without paying the specific corridor toll will result in significant penalties. Toll authorities (ASFINAG) conduct frequent checks, both stationary and mobile, using cameras and enforcement vehicles. If caught, you will typically face a substitute toll (Ersatzmaut), which is substantially higher than the cost of a vignette or single route toll. For cars, this can be around €120, and for motorcycles, approximately €65. If this substitute toll is not paid on the spot or within a specified short period, the fine can escalate dramatically, potentially reaching €300 to €3,000 in administrative penalties (Verwaltungsstrafe).

It is always far more cost-effective and stress-free to ensure you have all necessary tolls paid in advance. TollPass Connect helps you avoid these costly mistakes by providing clear guidance and easy access to purchases.

No, a digital vignette is strictly tied to the vehicle's registration number (number plate) that was entered during the purchase process. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle. If you sell your vehicle or change your number plate, you will need to apply for a new vignette for the new vehicle or with the new number plate. In certain specific circumstances, such as a number plate change due to administrative reasons or total loss of the vehicle, it might be possible to transfer the vignette to a new number plate for the same vehicle, but this requires direct contact with ASFINAG and submission of relevant documentation.

For temporary vehicle changes, such as using a different car for a holiday, you would need to purchase a separate vignette for that vehicle if it's not already covered. Always double-check the number plate entered during purchase to avoid errors.

Generally, almost all motorways and expressways in Austria require a vignette for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. However, there are a few very limited exceptions. Some short sections of motorways near borders, often leading directly to a border crossing or specific exit, might be vignette-free. For example, a small section of the A1 motorway from the German border up to the Salzburg Nord exit is currently exempt. Similarly, the A14 Rheintal/Walgau motorway between the border and Hohenems is also exempt.

These exemptions are rare and usually apply to very specific, short stretches. It is crucial not to rely on anecdotal information but to consult official ASFINAG maps or resources to confirm any exemptions for your specific route. For the vast majority of journeys on Austrian motorways, a vignette is essential.

When purchasing digital vignettes or digital route tolls online through official channels or trusted providers like those linked by TollPass Connect, a variety of payment methods are typically accepted. These commonly include major credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), PayPal, and sometimes direct bank transfers or local payment systems like SOFORT or EPS. At physical sales points, such as petrol stations, tobacco shops (Trafiken), or border crossings, you can usually pay with cash or card.

For GO-Box users (vehicles over 3.5 tonnes), payment can be made via pre-pay (loading credit onto the box) or post-pay (linked to a credit card or fleet card). Always check the specific payment options available on the platform or at the sales point you intend to use.