Driving in the Dominican Republic vs. Hungary: Key Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the unique road regulations is essential for ensuring a safe journey. This comparison between the Dominican Republic and Hungary highlights notable distinctions, such as speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol policies. Familiarizing yourself with these driving norms can enhance your travel experience and promote road safety in unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | 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: Presence | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
dominican republic:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
hungary:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
hungary:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 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: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
hungary:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
hungary:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Dominican republic | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Prepares traffic for a green signal. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| 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
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
hungary:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Dominican republic | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Dominican republic | 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 | Yes, annual inspection required | 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: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
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
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | 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: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
hungary:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
dominican republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 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 | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | 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 | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online