Driving in Argentina vs. Hungary: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Argentina and Hungary, drivers encounter distinct regulations that influence their travel experience. Key differences emerge in lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol policies, highlighting Hungary's stricter zero-tolerance stance on drinking and driving, contrasted with Argentina's more lenient approach. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring safe travels abroad.
Lanes
| Argentina | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
argentina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
argentina:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
hungary:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
hungary:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Argentina | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Prepares traffic for a green signal. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
argentina:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Argentina | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Argentina | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Limited use |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
argentina:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
argentina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Argentina | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days