I am amazed when I read travel posts and people ask about some fairly straight forward things. In Austria you do not pay tolls on every toll road; you pay once and post a sticker on your front window. It is called a Vignette and costs 8.5 Euros or about 12 USD. In other countries you have to stop regularly along the highway and pay a toll. Some people, however, wonder what the chances are of getting stopped in Austria and thus getting a fine. Please. You paid $10,000 to get to this point, what is 12 bucks?
Are these the same people who try and climb the fence to get into the ballpark at home?
The same thing goes for a IDP or International Driving Permit. You get one for $25 at any AAA office in the US and you will need it in Italy, Austria and Germany. You do not need it in France or the United Kingdom. However, even those folks driving in Italy want to know if it is worth getting. No, I have never been stopped and no one asked for my IDP, but YES IT IS THE LAW. Indeed, you do not have to pay a traffic fine in Italy either, but you will never be allowed in any European Union Country again.
And, yes I know it is not fun to carry your passport all around Italy and it could get stolen or lost, but it is the law. Do it.
How would you feel if an Irishman came over and got even a parking ticket and didn't pay for it just because they were Irish?
8.5 Euros, Unlimited use of highways in Austria for ten days.
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