Driving in Brazil vs. Hungary: Key Differences Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of driving in Brazil and Hungary is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, road markings, and overtaking rules. With Hungary enforcing zero tolerance for alcohol and Brazil allowing limited overtaking on the right, it's vital to familiarize yourself with these unique regulations for a secure driving experience.
Lanes
| Brazil | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | 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
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
hungary:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
brazil:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
hungary:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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
brazil:
40-60 km/h
hungary:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Brazil | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | 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 | Portuguese; 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
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Brazil | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Brazil | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on the license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | 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
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
brazil:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brazil | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 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 | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days