Minimum age for a car driving licence in Austria (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: A class B car licence is granted from age 18. Through the L17 route, training drives with a companion may start six months after the 15th birthday and the practical test can be taken at 17. The pages read set an age condition of 18 for non-EEA licences used by residents.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence18 years [1]
Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence15.5 years [2]
Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licenceClass B can be obtained early through the 'vorgezogene Lenkberechtigung' (L17). Driving-school training with supervised training drives may begin six months after the 15th birthday, at least 3,000 km of training drives are required, and the practical test is allowed at 17 at the earliest. If the licence is granted before 18, the probation period lasts at least until the 21st birthday. [2]
Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licenceA licence issued in a non-EEA state that meets certain international conventions may be used by a person resident in Austria for up to six months after taking up residence, if the holder has reached 18 (16 for class A1). The authority can extend this by another six months on application in cases of work or study. [3]

Notes

  • The age is 15 years and 6 months. These are training drives under supervision in the L17 scheme, not a licence; the licence itself is granted from 17 after the test.
  • This provision is worded for persons with residence in Austria. The pages read do not state a separate age rule for tourists without residence.

Sources

  1. Bundeskanzleramt (RIS - Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes): Führerscheingesetz, § 6 (Mindestalter) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Bundeskanzleramt (RIS - Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes): Führerscheingesetz, § 19 (Vorgezogene Lenkberechtigung für die Klasse B) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Bundeskanzleramt (RIS - Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes): Führerscheingesetz, § 23 (Ausländische Lenkberechtigungen) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.