Change of vignettes in Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic

Motorists traveling to Austria, Switzerland or the Czech Republic should have a valid vignette, said officials from the German automobile club ADAC.

The annual vignettes for last year ran out Jan. 31. Anybody getting checked with an old vignette risks having to pay a high fine.

The vignette for Austria for one year for vehicles costs €76.20. The fee for a two-month vignette is €22.90 and a 10-day vignette costs €7.90. Motorcyclists have to pay €30.40 for the one-year vignette, €11.50 for two months and €4.50 for the 10-day vignette.

Motorcyclists have to place the vignette on a part of the motorcycle where it would be hard to remove from but still visible. On vehicles, the vignette must be placed on the inside of the windshield, for example on the left edge or behind the driving mirror. Motorists driving on the autobahn or a toll road without a vignette can expect to pay a fine of up to  €3,000. Only those who get caught without a vignette and willing to pay an alternative toll remain exempt from punishment.

Motorists and motorcyclists who want to use the Swiss autobahns or speedways pay €27.50 for the one-year vignette. Without a valid vignette motorists have to pay a €65 fine.

The Czech Republic’s annual vignette for vehicles up to 3.5 tons costs €47, the vignette for one month costs €14 and the 10-day vignette costs €10. Motorists driving without a valid vignette have to pay a fine in the amount of about €200. Motorcyclists don’t need vignettes.

Vignettes for Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic are available in every ADAC office or online at www.adac/shop.de.

(Courtesy of ADAC)