Dogs in Vienna Can Now Get a Driver’s License

Vienna officials estimate that there are approximately 150,000 dogs in the city of 1.7 people. Now those dog owners can take advantage of a new program to avoid the annual dog tax of 43.60 euros ($53) by taking a dog licensing test. City officials are likening the test to a drivers’ license test for humans, because the test takes about two hours to obtain and has both written and practical "driving" tests to assess the owner’s competence. The test costs 25 euros ($30).

Vienna’s official count of dogs subject to the city dog tax is about 47,000 canines, but the actual number could be as high as three times that amount, so the city hopes the new test will entice more people to come forward and register their dogs to avoid paying penalties. The initiative was instituted after a survey of 500 Viennese residents last fall showed that 85% of the city’s residents backed the idea of instituting a "driver’s license for dogs."

In the survey, 34% of the respondents said that they felt "personally in danger" when dogs were around, and 92% said that dogs should always be kept on a leash and wear a muzzle. In addition, thousands of parents signed a petition in an effort to force government officials to find a workable solution to dealing with the 5 to 10 tons of dog excrement produced daily in Vienna. Vienna’s Mayor Michael Haeupl promised to look into the matter personally. Ulli Sima, the environment councilor who initiated the license project, said "The Viennese are real dog lovers. But they believe strict measures are necessary so that peaceful cohabitation between man and dog is possible in this city."

The written part of the exam contains multiple choice questions that assess whether owners know their responsibilities in regard to their dog’s health and behavior. Some questions deal with how a dog expresses feelings to its owner, such as "when your dog wags its tail, does it mean it is happy, excited, or bored?" The practical part of the test simulates the driving part of the human licensing exam. Dog owners take their pets on a walk through town, where they are tested in a variety of predicaments such as putting a muzzle on the dog in the subway or on a bus, or picking up and disposing of droppings.

The Viennese initiative is unique, although license programs exist in several German states. A test is already required to license guard dogs for security reasons, which is the case in many countries. But the new license is just for average street dogs, an idea that many people find intimidating. But 20 veterinary examiners have been accredited to carry out the tests for the new dog license, which was set up in January. According to Animals as Therapy, a non-profit organization based in Vienna, not many people have chosen to take the test so far, but officials hope it will catch on soon. Not only will the test exempt people from paying dog tax, it will also help them learn how to understand their pet.