When traveling, and in the context of increasing mobility, the digital vignette is becoming more and more important. Especially in Austria, a country known for its scenic highways and the requirement of a vignette to use them, digital technology offers an efficient and user-friendly solution for drivers. A recent incident, however, highlights the importance of making the right choice when purchasing a vignette and underscores the benefits of our digital vignette.
Earlier this year, a case attracted attention among many drivers: a Lower Austrian who routinely purchased his annual vignette was faced with an unexpected fine, even though he had taken the necessary steps to register his vignette.
The driver in question had bought his vignette online via an official platform without realizing that the validity of the annual vignette he purchased did not begin immediately. Only much later—18 days later, in fact—would the use of the highway with this vignette have been legal. Such a delay in validity can be an unexpected and even costly trap for many who depend on immediate use. Neither spontaneous travel nor last-minute renewal of your vignette is possible in this case.
Our digital vignette is valid immediately. For travelers and commuters who rely on flexible and uncomplicated use of highways, the digital vignette eliminates the risk of misunderstandings. This makes it an attractive option for anyone who values convenience and efficiency.
This means you don’t have to worry about accidentally driving without a valid vignette, as in the example above. During checks, the digital vignette can be quickly and easily verified since it is directly linked to the vehicle license plate.
To take full advantage of the digital vignette, we warmly invite you to discover this convenient and modern option for yourself. By registering your digital vignette on our website, you not only secure the immediate validity of your vignette, but also benefit from a stress-free travel experience on Austria’s highways.
In Austria, it is not encouraged to have more than 2 sticker vignettes on the windshield. However, it is not prohibited and you will not be fined if you have more than 2. Nevertheless, you must ensure that the vignette is placed clearly visible on the windshield, for example, in the upper left corner or near the rear-view mirror. It must not be placed within the tinted strip area or in the driver’s field of vision.
If you want to avoid discussions and travel delays caused by having more than 2 sticker vignettes, it’s best to remove the expired vignette before your trip using dish soap and warm water. Apply the mixture generously to the sticker vignette, let it soak for a few minutes, then carefully peel it off before applying the new one.
To avoid the entire stress and hassle, you can simply purchase a digital vignette from us. It is linked to your license plate, automatically recognized on site, and does not need to be scraped off the windshield. You don’t need to worry about having more than 2 vignettes during your trip or forgetting to remove an old one. You can order the digital vignette directly from us.
Since Austria has a vignette obligation and compliance is usually checked automatically, driving without a valid vignette on most Austrian roads (there are only a few roads and sections without vignette or toll obligations) constitutes a violation of the law.
Due to automatic checks, it is quite common that the official letter from ASFiNAG (on standard letterhead) related to the violation only arrives in the mailbox several months later.
Important: This letter should neither be ignored nor discarded!Did you receive a corresponding letter from ASFiNAG asking you to pay a substitute toll of EUR 120, even though you are certain you did not violate the vignette or toll obligation?
In this case, you can contact the European Consumer Centre Italy, which, in direct cooperation with the European Consumer Centre Austria, can examine a cancellation of the payment request. Additionally, photo evidence can be requested from ASFiNAG.
If you have not received a request to pay the substitute toll of EUR 120, you can apply to pay the substitute toll instead.
Are you absolutely certain that you complied with all regulations and committed no violations? Then you can apply to the local authority for the fine to be archived (proof of toll payment required).
Note: Since this is a fine against which, under Austrian law, no appeal can be lodged, the issuing authority is not obliged to respond to such applications.
If the “anonymous penalty order” is not paid within 4 weeks, it automatically expires and is replaced by a new, higher fine.
The responsible district administrative authority will then initiate an administrative penalty procedure and determine the driver through a driver inquiry.
In this case, the vehicle owner has two weeks to name the driver of the vehicle.
At this point, the driver should absolutely be named; otherwise, you risk another traffic violation and a further very high fine.
After the anonymous penalty order was not paid, the administrative penalty (so-called penalty notice) will be issued. If there are valid reasons, an appeal against this fine can be lodged.
This must be done within two weeks of receiving the penalty notice (free of charge, no lawyer required).
Appeals can also be submitted via email (in German).
The appeal must include the following details:
Example: "I appeal the penalty notice BH Bregenz dated 01.08.2023 BHBR/X/042020020607"
In your appeal, be sure to request a warning and, if applicable, an extraordinary reduction of the fine. In cases of minor offenses (e.g. typo when purchasing the digital vignette or incorrect placement of the sticker vignette), the responsible district authority often shows leniency, issues only a warning, and waives the fine.
If you cannot provide valid reasons for an appeal, you should pay the fine.
Take the opportunity to say goodbye to traditional vignettes and discover the digital future of road use for yourself. Register your digital vignette today and experience the convenience and security it offers. Avoid unnecessary fines and enjoy your drive on Austria’s roads. Your journey begins with a click – register your digital vignette now and embrace modern mobility.
