Driving in Belgium vs. Hungary: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Belgium and Hungary. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol tolerance and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Dive into the details and prepare for your journey with confidence!
Lanes
| Belgium | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | 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
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
belgium:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
hungary:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Belgium | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | 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 | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Belgium | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Belgium | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or 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
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | 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
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
belgium:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belgium:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Belgium | 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 | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Required |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | 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 | Fine of around 50 EUR | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days