As of 1 October 2026, Austria’s long-awaited 36th amendment to the Road Traffic Act reclassifies electric mopeds (L1e-B) as motor vehicles. The change—championed by Mobility Minister Martin Hanke—means E-Mopeds must now carry number plates, third-party insurance, a valid motor-cycle-class licence, rear-view mirrors, horn and annual technical inspection. They are barred from cycle paths and must use normal traffic lanes. The reform follows a 17 percent jump in serious E-bike and E-moped injuries recorded by Statistik Austria in 2025. Food-courier platforms and gig-economy employers have been adapting fleets for months; many have arranged subsidised licence training to keep riders legal. Companies that provide E-Mopeds as corporate mobility perks must update fleet policies immediately—non-compliance can trigger fines up to €10,000 and liability exposure in accidents. Foreign assignees and business visitors should note that an international driving permit or EU Category AM/A1 licence is now mandatory to ride these vehicles. Travel managers should remove E-Moped options from eco-commuting schemes until staff licences are verified. Rental operators in Vienna, Linz and Salzburg have upgraded booking apps to require a digital licence scan at pick-up. Police in Vienna and Graz announced focussed checks during the first week of October, while insurers report a surge in online policy applications. The Ministry will review accident data after six months to decide whether additional helmet technology or speed-limiter rules are needed.
Source: The Local Austria
