The Austrian way
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THIS MONTH we concentrate on Rules of the Road in Austria — all the most up-to-date information to speed you through with minimum bother. Public holidays: Vehicles with trailers and vehicles above a loaded weight of 3.5 tonnes are not allowed to operate on Saturdays after 3pm or on Sunday. These restrictions also apply on public holidays: January 1,6; April 4; May 1,12,23; June 2; August 15; October 26; November 1; December 8,25,26. (1983 dates — some 1984 dates may be different).
Drivers' hours and records: UK drivers should adhere to the AETR agreement.
Speed limits In built-up areas 50km/h Expressways: Vehicle and trailer 60km/h Vehicle 70km/h Motorways Vehicle and trailer 70km/h Vehicle 80km/h Authorisation: There is an Anglo-Austrian Road Haulage Arrangement which enables hauliers to operate to and from and in transit through each other's country without having to apply for a carrier's licence on obtaining a permit from their own Ministry.
Carriage of return loads, empty entry into the other country for carriage of a return load to the haulier's country and carriage of goods between the other country and a third country is allowed.
Cabotage is prohibited.
Hire and reward: Most hire and reward operations require permits. Permits are not required for vehicles where the maximum permissible laden weight (including the weight of any trailer drawn) does not exceed 6,000kms, but a permit is required where the unladen weight of the vehicle plus the weight of the goods being carried does not exceed 6,000kg.
Operators must be in possession of a West German permit before applying for the Austrian permit. When applying, the serial number(s) of the permit(s) to be used for the transit journey must be given.
Operators using the road/rail piggyback service to transit West Germany are able to obtain Austrian permits to a limited extent, to continue their journeys. Full details are available from the IRFO, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, tel: (0632) 610031.
Own-account operations: A permit is not required but hauliers must carry a document containing the following details:
a name of operator and nature of business; b details of goods being carried;
c loading and unloading points;
d type and registration number of vehicle being used; e the route.
Unaccompanied trailers and semi-trailers: No permit, ownaccount document or insurance green card is required for UK unaccompanied trailers or semitrailers which are hauled in Austria by a non-UK tractor. A CMR note is required for hire or reward operations.
Customs formalities: TIR and ATA Carnets are recognised. The following documents are required: Driver and Vehicle • British Driving Licence/International Driver's Permit • Vehicle registration document (form V5) — original • Passport • Austrian permit (Hire and Reward operations) or • Own-account document • International Insurance Certificate (Green Card) • Driver's hours of work records or tachograph charts • GB plate For the goods: CMR Consignment note (for hire or reward operations) EEC Community Transit documentation (EUR form) must be used for goods delivered from EEC countries. TIR Carnet can be used for goods originating from outside the EEC.
Vehicles to be sealed: Vehicles arriving at the frontier should be properly sealed otherwise delays will occur while this operation is carried out. Hauliers should ensure that vehicles are sealed in accordance with the TIR Convention.
Abnormal loads: A special authorisation is required for vehicles exceeding normal weights and dimensions. Applications for the authorisation must be made to: Bundesministerium Fur Verkehr, Sektion IVi, Abteilung 6, Karlsplatx 1, A-1010 Vienna, Austria; tel: 0 222-65 86 01. Warning triangles: Warning triangles must be carried on the vehicle for use in emergencies. In the event of a breakdown, a triangle must be positioned 50m at the rear of the vehicle and be visible for at least 200m.
First-aid kits: A first aid kit should be carried for use in an emergency.
Wheel chocks: There is a legal requirement in Austria for lorries with a total laden weight of more than 3.5 tonnes to be equipped with at least two wheel chocks. British vehicles have been fined in the past for not carrying these chocks.
Tyres: Tyres must be in good condition generally and have tread depths of at least 1mm. The police have powers to prohibit a vehicle from continuing its journey until new tyres are fitted if they do not comply with the minimum standards. Lorry tax: A Road Transport Tax applies to all foreign goods vehicles entering Austria either to deliver goods there or in transit. The tax applies to wholly or partly laden vehicles but no charge is made for empty vehicles.
Vehicles registered outside Austria pay OS 0.25 per tonne capacity multiplied by the number of kilometres travelled. The maximum rate per calendar month is 05 200 per tonne (OS 170 for trailers) for payloads over eight tonnes and half rate for up to eight tonnes.
At border crossings drivers must declare the payload capacity of their vehicle and the distance they expect to travel with a load. Payment must be made in cash at the border entry point and when leaving Austria, Customs officials will check the actual distance travelled against the estimated amount and adjust the tax charge accordingly. It is understood that the Austrians have recently announced that they intend to increase this tax substantially. Duty free fuel: There is a duty free allowance of 30 litres, or the amount previously exported from Austria, whichever is the greater. Above this a surcharge is made.
Road tolls: Road tolls are payable on certain transit routes. The Arlberg Tunnel is subject to tolls which are as follows: Vehicle and trailer up to three axles: OS 220/journey; OS 3,520/20 journeys; OS 6,600/50 journeys.
Vehicle and trailer with more than three axles: OS 440/journey; OS 3,250/10 journeys; OS 13,200/50 journeys.
VAT: This does not apply to international goods transport and it is possible to reclaim any tax which may be paid on fuel, drivers' meals, services, etc, from: Finanzamt Graz-Sadt, Conrad von Hotzendorfstrasse 14-18,A 8010 Graz, Austria.