Driving in Australia vs Hungary: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Australia and Hungary, understanding the contrasts in traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving sides, speed limits, and road etiquette, which can greatly affect your travel experience. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will ensure a smoother ride in both countries.
Lanes
| Australia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
hungary:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
hungary:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
australia:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
hungary:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
hungary:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Australia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Prepares traffic for a green signal. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; 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
australia:
Not commonly used.
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
hungary:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Australia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Australia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on the license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | 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 left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
australia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Roundabouts
| Australia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
hungary:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
hungary:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | 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 | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days