Driving Differences: Bhutan vs. Hungary Uncovered
Driving in Bhutan and Hungary presents distinct contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. From varying traffic regulations to differing speed limits, these countries showcase unique road norms. Notably, Bhutan drives on the left, while Hungary adheres to the right side. Understanding these essential distinctions ensures a safer and more enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
hungary:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
hungary:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bhutan:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
hungary:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
hungary:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 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: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
hungary:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
hungary:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Bhutan | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | 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 | 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
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Bhutan | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Bhutan | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Annual vehicle inspection required | 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 | Recommended, not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | 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
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
bhutan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days