Driving in Colombia vs. Hungary: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Colombia and Hungary, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experiences. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol tolerance levels. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey and adapting to each country's unique roadway culture.
Lanes
| Colombia | 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 | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | 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 | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
colombia:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
hungary:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 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 | 90-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
hungary:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Colombia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | 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 | Spanish; 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
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Colombia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | 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 | Mandatory | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | 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
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
colombia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 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; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, 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 $150, points on license | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | 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
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days