Going on holiday with the company car
According to a recent study by the ÖAMTC, 95% of all Austrians plan to travel at least once during the summer. For many families, the car is the first choice, as it offers significantly more flexibility than other means of transport. In this blog post, we answer the most important questions so that you can start your holiday relaxed with your company car.
Am I allowed to take my company car on holiday?
This is regulated in your company's car policy. Here you will find all the regulations relating to company cars, including private journeys abroad, mileage restrictions and the reimbursement of refuelling and charging costs.
It is best to contact your fleet manager directly to obtain all the relevant information.
Can I also use my refuelling or Fuel & Charge card abroad?
The scope of functions of your refuelling or Fuel & Charge card depends on what your company has agreed with the provider. Please contact your fleet manager for details. Alternatively, you can also find information on the range of functions directly on the cards. For ROUTEX cards (OMV, BP, Eni), you will see to the left of the expiry date whether the card can be used nationally (‘NAT’) or internationally (‘INT’) and which services are included. For the Shell Card, you will find an indication of the validity (‘Valid in’) at the top right. The number before the expiry date indicates the scope of services. Further information can be found here.
If you have problems using your petrol or Fuel & Charge card, regardless of the scope of functions, you can order a replacement card at driver-services.at@aldautomotive.com. Please note the processing time.
Should I have my company car checked before travelling?
A vehicle check is particularly useful before long journeys abroad to ensure you are travelling safely and without any nasty surprises.
We also recommend that you check that the navigation system in your vehicle is up to date or have it updated in the workshop. This is particularly important for electric cars so that charging stops are planned correctly. Alternatively, you can also use the app from your map provider or A Better Routeplanner.
What should I do if I have an accident abroad with my company car?
ALD Automotive Road Assistance provides round-the-clock support throughout Europe if your company car is no longer roadworthy.
Call 0800 24 00 44 (national) or +43 1 526 52 25-125 (international) and we will take care of providing a replacement vehicle, organising the onward journey or journey home in the event of a longer repair period and retrieving the vehicle.
In the event of an accident abroad, please always inform the police, fill out the European Accident Report together with the person involved, take photos of the damage and the accident site and send everything by e-mail to versicherung.at@aldautomotive.com.
Do I need a valid licence plate when I drive abroad?
The tolerance period of 4 months is not recognised in other countries such as Italy, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia or Germany. So if your licence plate is about to expire or has already expired, make sure you renew it before you start your journey.
What do I have to carry in my vehicle when I go on holiday?
If you are travelling in Austria, you must always carry a high-visibility waistcoat, a warning triangle and a first-aid kit.
If you are travelling abroad, we recommend that you visit the ÖAMTC website to find out about the regulations in the countries on your route.
What documents do I need to carry in my company car when travelling abroad?
As you are the driver but not the owner of the company car, there may be delays at border or police checks. We therefore recommend that you always have a user licence with you. You can download this here. Please note that the user authorisation must be signed by the registration holder (usually the employing company) in order to be valid.
Please do not forget to carry the International Insurance Card (formerly known as the ‘Green Card’) in your vehicle. It is the internationally valid proof that your company vehicle is insured and is required in many countries during inspections.
If you do not have an International Insurance Card, please apply for one in good time before travelling.
We also recommend that you always carry a European Accident Report in the glove compartment of your company car.
If you need an accident report, you can download it directly from our website.
What are the toll regulations in Europe?
Tolls are levied in 24 European countries. Only Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany do not yet have tolls for cars.
There are basically two types of toll: the vignette (flat-rate charge) and the distance-based (kilometre-based) toll.
In addition to Austria, you also need a vignette in Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Most of these countries only offer vignettes electronically. Only in Austria and Switzerland can you alternatively purchase an adhesive vignette. When purchasing a vignette, make sure that you only buy them from official sales outlets and that the vehicle details are correct when registering. In the Czech Republic, electric cars are exempt from the toll.
In Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, Croatia, Greece, Great Britain, Norway, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Turkey, a distance-based toll applies. In these countries, tolls are charged per kilometre driven, although the entire motorway and motorway network is not subject to tolls everywhere. Specific information on tariffs and payment options can be found on the ÖAMTC website.
What speed limits apply outside Austria?
In many of Austria's neighbouring countries, including Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, the speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h, just like in Austria. In Switzerland you are allowed to drive at a maximum speed of 120 km/h on motorways, in Germany there is no general speed limit. When entering a country, always pay attention to the signs to get an overview of the specific regulations or inform yourself before travelling. Always adjust your speed. In some countries, such as Slovenia, Slovakia or Switzerland, speeding offences can result in heavy fines of several hundred euros.