Flagpole transport in Austria: rules for long loads
Published Written by Flagpole Guides
This page is an English translation of the German original. Where the two versions differ, the German text is the original.
A 7-metre pole is longer than any car. Whether it arrives by freight or is collected by the buyer, the transport follows the rules of Austria’s Motor Vehicles Act (KFG): how far the load may project, when it is marked and how it is secured.
How far the load may project
Under section 101(1)(c) KFG, loading is only permitted if the vehicle’s greatest length is exceeded by the load by no more than a quarter of the vehicle length.
| Vehicle | Length | Maximum overhang |
|---|---|---|
| Small car | 4.0 m | 1.0 m |
| Mid-size car | 4.5 m | about 1.1 m |
| Estate car | 4.8 m | 1.2 m |
| Small van | 6.0 m | 1.5 m |
A one-piece 7-metre pole therefore fits on no car. With a long trailer, whose length counts for vehicle combinations, or with a two-piece pole, things look different.
Transports that do not keep within these limits, and long-load transports where the motor vehicle or last trailer including the load is longer than 16 metres, are only permitted with the approval of the state governor under section 101(5) KFG.
Marking from 1 metre
If the load projects more than 1 metre beyond the front or rear of the motor vehicle – or of the last trailer for combinations – the outermost points of the projecting parts must be made clearly visible to other road users under section 101(4) KFG.
Load securing
Under section 101(1)(e) KFG, the load must be stowed or secured so that it withstands the forces of normal driving, does not impair the safe operation of the vehicle and endangers no one. Individual parts are stowed so that they can only shift slightly in relation to each other. The act names lashing straps, clamping bars, transport cushions and anti-slip mats among the means. For a flagpole this means that the tube lies firmly, does not slide lengthwise and does not knock against the body. A soft underlay also protects the pole’s coating.
Two-piece poles and freight
According to the maker Fahnen Gärtner, two-piece flagpoles, assembled from an upper and a lower section, bring considerable advantages for transport and storage. Long one-piece poles usually come by freight; shipping can make up a noticeable part of the total price. For flags with a staff, such as carried and swinging flags, Fahnen Gärtner applies separate oversize shipping from 175 cm in length. What else affects the cost of a pole is described in the guide to buying a flagpole.
Storage
Dismantled poles are usually stored straight and supported in several places so that they do not warp, and dry so that no water stays in the tube. According to Fahnen Gärtner, the flag is stored dry when not in use. How pole and foundation are set up again is described in the guide to flagpole installation.
Frequently asked questions
How far may a flagpole project beyond a car in Austria?
Under section 101(1)(c) KFG, the load may exceed the vehicle’s length by no more than a quarter of the vehicle length. For a 4.5-metre car that is about 1.1 metres; for a car with a trailer, the length of the last trailer counts.
From when must the load be marked?
If the load projects more than 1 metre beyond the front or rear of the vehicle, its outermost points must be made clearly visible to other road users under section 101(4) KFG.
How is a flagpole secured?
Under section 101(1)(e) KFG, the load must be stowed or secured so that it withstands the forces of normal driving and endangers no one. The act names lashing straps, clamping bars and anti-slip mats among the means.
Are some flagpoles easier to transport?
According to the maker Fahnen Gärtner, two-piece flagpoles assembled from an upper and a lower section bring considerable advantages for transport and storage.
Sources
This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in German:
- Kraftfahrgesetz 1967, § 101 Beladung – Bundeskanzleramt, Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes (RIS)
- FAQ: Worin liegt der Unterschied zwischen einteiligen und zweiteiligen Fahnenmasten? – Fahnen Gärtner, Mittersill
- Bundesländerfahnen – Bestellung und Überlängenversand – Fahnen Gärtner, Mittersill
- FAQ: Wie lange hält eine Fahne? – Fahnen Gärtner, Mittersill
Related guides
- Flagpole installationDoes a flagpole need a building permit in Austria? The rules of all nine building codes, plus foundation, underground lines, neighbours and condominiums.
- Types of flagpolesGround poles, two-piece poles, poles with a rotating arm, wall and roof poles and mobile poles: the types of flagpoles used in Austria.
- Flagpole materialsWhich material for a flagpole in Austria? Aluminium, galvanised steel, fibreglass and wood compared – weight, corrosion, care and typical uses.
- Lifespan and sustainabilityHow long flagpole and flag last in Austria: lifespans of flag fabrics, what extends them, repair instead of replacement and what happens to old flags.