Driving Differences: Denmark vs. Hungary Uncovered
When exploring the roads of Denmark and Hungary, understanding their unique driving conventions is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage regulations, and alcohol tolerance levels, which can significantly affect your travel experience. Stay informed and drive safely in these diverse landscapes!
Lanes
| Denmark | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | 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
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
denmark:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
hungary:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 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 | 110-130 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 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, for minor offenses. | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
denmark:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Denmark | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | 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 | Danish; symbols are standard | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
hungary:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
denmark:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Denmark | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
hungary:
Not allowed.
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
hungary:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Denmark | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | 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
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | 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
denmark:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
denmark:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Denmark | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 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; carried out by the police | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
denmark:
0.02%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
hungary:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Required |
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days