96 CultureShock! Austria
cards (except for Italy). The green insurance card is proof
that you have insurance and must be specifically requested
from your insurance provider. If you are travelling outside
the EU, you are expected to present the green insurance
card at the border. Further insurance can be bought. Full
comprehensive insurance (Vollkaskoversicherung) adds
collision and vandalism damage. A letter from your previous
insurance company stating that you have had no recent
liability claims may get you a discount of up to 50 per cent
on your premium.Driver’s Licence
For those who will be staying in Austria longer than a year and
are neither diplomats, nor citizens of the EU or the EEA, you
will have to apply for a driver’s licence. Driver’s licences from
the EU or the EEA are accepted in Austria. Plan on needing
a lot of patience. It is conceivable to end up with an Austrian
licence, but many steps must be followed.
Once you arrive in Austria, you have six months from the
date on your Meldezettel form to apply for a driver’s licence.
If you miss the six-month limit to apply for your licence, you
will have to take the driving test, which may cost as much
as € 2000. You need a certain amount of hours for theory
and practical class, and if you fail, you must repeat the class
and pay again.
These are the steps to take:
If your licence is not in German, go to an automobile
club such as ÖAMTC or ARBÖ to have your licence
translated. The fee is likely to be less than that charged
at your own consulate.
Go to the Bundespolizeidirektion (Federal Police
Headquarters) or, in cities without federal police, to
the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (District Administration)
or Magistrat (Municipal Authority), and in Vienna go to
the Verkehrsamt (Department of Motor Vehicles). Get an
application form for a driver’s licence at the entrance.
Fill out the application form (Führerscheinantrag) and
present along with the following documents: current
driver’s licence, German translation of your driver’s