Special transports
On the ASFINAG network of roads, more than 10,000 special transports are carried out every year.
Special transports (also called "Sotra") are transports whose dimensions exceed the limits (for weight, width, length and height) prescribed by the Kraftfahrgesetz (Austrian Motor Vehicle Law). Special transports therefore require a special permit. For ASFINAG the challenge lies in providing the best possible route availability for all road users while at the same time providing industry with the means to carry out special transports.
Where do you get a permit for a special transport?
To carry out a special transport in Austria, transport companies have to submit a request to the provincial government of the federal province in which the transport begins or in which the border to Austria is crossed. To do this, visit the SOTRA-e-Government-Portal of the federal provinces. There you have to enter all the information necessary to submit the application, such as planned route, detailed information about weight, axle load, width and driving period. The e-government-Portal contains links to SOTRA (form, application list, permit list, user registration), brief summaries of the Kraftfahrgesetz (Austrian Motor Vehicle Law) and the application process as well as other links, aids and contact details of authorities.
What is ASFINAG’s role in preparing a special transport permit?
As the operator and maintainer of a high-profile road network, ASFINAG makes a statement on its network for every SOTRA application. The issuance of the permit is the responsibility of the competent provincial government office.
For the ASFINAG statement, the planned special transport is evaluated on a technical and static basis. This ensures that the road load meets all safety and maintenance standards. Furthermore, there are certain periods in which special transports cannot be carried out. They can also not be carried out during peak traffic volume periods (such as the start of the holidays or major events). The focus here is on optimum route availability: All customers should be able to use the motorways in the best way possible.
- Comply with the restricted periods.
- Comply with technical requirements.
- Perform the applicable registrations:
- Monitoring centres,
- motorway maintenance centres,
- national traffic management centre.
- Submit the applications in time, including correct and complete data.
Please note: Subsequent changes require a repeat assessment and extend the processing period!
Registering SOTRAs with ASFINAG
- Trans-regional registrations: Special transports with a width of more than five metres and a weight of more than 140 tonnes must be registered ONLINE with the national traffic management centre. The registration can be done online.
- Regional registrations (e.g. at a regional traffic management centre, a motorway maintenance centre, for passing through construction sites):
These must always be carried out in accordance with the prescribed conditions and regulations contained in the respective transport permit.