Driving in Croatia vs. Hungary: Key Differences Explained
Discover the nuances of road regulations in Croatia and Hungary as we delve into crucial distinctions in traffic rules, speed limits, and safety protocols. This comparison highlights key factors such as lane usage, alcohol limits, and emergency services, ensuring your journey abroad remains secure and informed.
Lanes
| Croatia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | 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'. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
croatia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
croatia:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | 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: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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
croatia:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
croatia:
80 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
croatia:
Yes
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Croatia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Prepares traffic for a green signal. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
hungary:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
croatia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Croatia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
croatia:
Not allowed
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Croatia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | 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
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Croatia | 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
croatia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
croatia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
croatia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Croatia | 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 | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
croatia:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Required |
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | 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 | 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 | Significant fines | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
croatia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days