Driving in China vs. Hungary: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of China and Hungary, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance levels, emphasizing the importance of understanding local driving customs for a secure journey abroad. Stay informed to ensure a safe and smooth ride in these diverse nations.
Lanes
| China | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| 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
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
hungary:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
hungary:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
hungary:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| China | 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 | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 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 | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
hungary:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| China | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Prepares traffic for a green signal. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| China | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| China | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
hungary:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| China | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | 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 side and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
china:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
hungary:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| China | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, 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 | ¥50 to ¥200 | 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 | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | 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
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days