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Führerschein

Driving licence: exchanging for an Austrian one

A licence from outside the EU/EEA is valid in Austria only for a limited time. The key is to act within 6 months of registering your main address.

Deadline
6 months from registering your main residence
Where
In Vienna — the Verkehrsamt (state police directorate)
Cost
About €90 for the exchange, excluding any test
Ukraine
With temporary protection the licence stays valid without exchange

Step by step

  1. EU/EEA licences need no exchange. Other licences are valid for 6 months after you register your main address — apply for the exchange within that time.
  2. Check whether a test is needed: for some countries (e.g. Switzerland, UK, Serbia, Japan; for class B — USA, Canada and others) a medical certificate is enough. Most others need a practical driving test.
  3. Get a medical certificate (ärztliches Gutachten) — no older than 18 months.
  4. Submit the documents at the Verkehrsamt; if needed, book a driving school to prepare for the practical test.

What to bring

  • Licence application form
  • Passport or ID with residence permit
  • Your foreign licence and its classification (ÖAMTC)
  • Medical certificate, 35×45 mm photo, Meldezettel

Common mistakes

Missing the 6 months: after that the foreign licence is invalid in Austria and the exchange can get harder.

Assuming any licence can simply be exchanged. Austria does not recognise licences from some countries — then you must train again.

Words you will meet

der Führerscheindriving licence
umschreibento exchange, convert
die Fahrprüfungdriving test
das ärztliche Gutachtenmedical certificate
die Fahrschuledriving school

Official sources

Checked: 2026-10-05. This is a plain-language summary of official information, not legal advice. Deadlines and amounts change — check the linked official sources before you go.