Driving Differences: Bulgaria vs. Hungary Explained
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and Hungary, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact safety and compliance. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and rules regarding overtaking. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bulgaria:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
hungary:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Bulgaria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | 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 | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Bulgaria | 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 with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof 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 | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
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
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | 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
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
bulgaria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Required |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, 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 | Up to €50 | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days