The Austrian System for the Prosecution of Risk Drivers ("Vormerksystem")

In force since
The Austrian System for the Prosecution of Risk Drivers came into force on July 1st, 2005.

Goal
The Austrian system aims at the registration of risk drivers and those who repeatedly offend the road traffic regulations.

Offences that led to the withdrawal of the driving license before the introduction of the “system” (e.g. speeding, alcohol > 0,8 ‰) remain unchanged.

System
As a consequence of committing one of the 13 offences, the drivers offence is registered in the driving license register. Does the driver commit a second offence within two years, he or she has to participate in an additional measure (e.g. driver improvement course, technical driver training, etc.).

In case of a third offence within the two years the driving license has to be withdrawn for at least 3 months. The registered offences are deleted after two years.

Offences

1. Endangering of pedestrians at crossings
   Additional fine from € 72 to € 2180.
2. Non-observance of the “STOP” sign and thereby interference and endangering of other road users:
   Additional fine from € 72 to € 2180.
3. Non-observance of red light and thereby interference and endangering of other road users:
   Additional fine from € 72 to € 2180.
4. Non-observance of warning lights and gates at railroad crossings.
   Additional fine up to € 726.
5. Driving at the emergency lane (hard shoulder) and thereby interference of emergency service vehicles:
   Additional fine up to €2180
6. Infringement of the regulation (Verordnung) concerning the  transportation of  dangerous goods while driving in motorway tunnels as well as the non-observance of the driving ban for motor vehicles carrying dangerous goods in tunnels.
   Additional fine up to € 726
7. Initial start-up of a vehicle with obvious technical deficiencies or unsecured load.
   The driver of a motor vehicle and/or a trailer has to assure himself, that the motor vehicle does not show any technical deficiencies and that the carriage complies with the concerned regulations before starting to drive.
8. Driving under the influence of alcohol (0,1 ‰ – 0,49 ‰) - valid for drivers of heavy goods vehicles > 7,5 t (Category C) and for bus drivers (Category D).
   € 36 to € 2180 (Category D) or from € 363 to € 2180 (Category D)
9. Driving under the influence of alcohol ( 0,5 ‰ – 0,79 ‰) - valid for all drivers
   Additional fine from € 218 to € 3.633
   If a driver is stopped with a BAC higher than 0,8 ‰ the driving license is withdrawn. For each further offence the withdrawal is prolonged for 2 weeks.
10. Non-use of child restraint systems
    Children under the age of 14 years and/or smaller than 150 cm have to be secured by using an adequate child restraint system.
    Additional fine up to € 2.180.
11. Insufficient safe following distance - 0,2 to 0,4 seconds
    Additional fine up to € 726
    Under especially dangerous conditions: € 2180