>> German version Finally Austria has its second Pastafarian driver’s license (see also BBC)! The regional department of Neusiedl am See issued Philip S.’s document including a picture of himself wearing a pasta strainer without questions or threats that he should see the public health officer (see press release in German). Pastafarianism (Church of the Flying […]

>> German version

Finally Austria has its second Pastafarian driver’s license (see also BBC)!

The regional department of Neusiedl am See issued Philip S.’s document including a picture of himself wearing a pasta strainer without questions or threats that he should see the public health officer (see press release in German). Pastafarianism (Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster) has been confirmed as a religion by official authorities for the second time in Austria now.

In Austria you are not allowed to wear hats in your driver’s license’s picture except for religious reasons. Even though this regulation is not covered by law the same criteria for passport pictures also apply to driver’s licenses.

There is even a website (http://passbildkriterien.at/oesterreich_neu.html) that documents the exemption to wear headgear only for religious reasons:

So anybody wearing a hat in his driver’s license can only do so for religious reason. Any other interpretation of this sentence in the regulations is not applicable, “ Headgear is not allowed. Exemptions can be granted for religious reasons.“

Even though the road to acknowledgement of Pastafarianism by law in Austria – including all the privileges granted for official religions – is long and winding Pastafariansm has now been accepted as a religion for the second time.

Our special thanks go out to the department of motor vehicles in Vienna and the regional department of Neusiedl am See for their courageous behaviour.

The Austrian chapter of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster already numbers more than 400 members. Additional applications are highly welcome. Download the form at venganza.at.