Earlier, posters said that you need some kind of driving sticker to drive in Austria. Although we didn't get one last year and never had a problem (we didn't even know there was such a thing), we figured we might as well get one this year (leaving Saturday for a week+ in the Steiermark). So...<BR>1. What is the exact name of this driving sticker/permit? (In German)? <BR>2. Where do you get it?<BR>3. How much is it?<BR>4. Is it necessary for driving anywhere in Austria or only on the major highways?<BR>5. Where do you display it? On the dashboard?<BR>6. Is it necessary for all cars, including rental cars?<BR><BR>Thanks!<BR>BTilke (Brussels)

about two years ago we bought one on our way to Italy. We stopped at one of the last gas stations in Germany before crossing the border. Bought it there. I don't remember what it cost but you can buy it for just a week very reasonable.unlike the swiss sticker that cost almost $50.00 Yes rental cars must have it also.

1. Vignette<BR>2. Borders xings and most gas stations near the border.<BR>3. Can't remember the cost, you can get 'em for 1, 10, 30? days or a year. If you rent the car in Austria, it will probably have one.<BR>4. Necessary for the toll roads (autobahns) only.<BR>5. Windshield.<BR>6. Yes.<BR>hth,<BR>

The word for the pass in German is not "vignette." It's called simply an autobahnpass, an autobahnvignette, or a pickerl (common nickname). A ten-day pass will cost roughly $6.00; sounds as if that's all you need. Any little shop at or near any border crossing will have them for sale. They are actually windshield stickers, so you stick them to the upper left of your windshield (on the inside of the car). Since it's pretty hard to drive in Austria without going for a bit on some autobahn, you ought to get one.<BR><BR>And just because no one caught some of us last year, you still should buy one because the fine is stiff. Finally, if you rent a car in Austria, don't assume it has the sticker; ask the rental agent. My bet is that they usually don't have them because of the extra cost.

i don't mean to be miss know-it-all but do not use the word "pickerl" for a vignette. the pickerl refers to the sticker you get when your car passes the yearly inspection. (like smog test a.s.o)<BR>if the police stop you at any time (for driving to fast or whatever) they will fine you if you don't have a sticker. i got stopped by a customs officer at a gas station near vienna.

I am German, trust me it is called a "vignette". Nobody refers to it as an autobahnpass.

It is most definitely called a vignette in Austria--as you cross the autobahn into Austria, there's a separate lane marked "Vignette" where you can pull over and buy a pass. Also, we saw "Vignettes" advertised for sale at police stations, etc. <BR>We bought one this year; last year we had no idea we needed one and we didn't get stopped. <BR>BTilke (Brussels)

We rented a car when we were in Austria in August, it came with a vignette, But if you are renting, you should ask the rental agent to be sure.