Driving Differences: Austria vs. Hungary Explained
Exploring the nuances of road regulations between Austria and Hungary reveals intriguing distinctions that impact traveler safety. While Austria boasts variable speed limits and a more lenient stance on overtaking, Hungary enforces stricter alcohol limits and prioritizes pedestrian right of way. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey through these neighboring nations.
Lanes
| Austria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
austria:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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; fines may also be mailed. | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Austria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | 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 | German; symbols are standard | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
hungary:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Austria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Austria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | 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
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Austria | 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 right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
austria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Emergency Services
| Austria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Required |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | 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, points on license | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days