Driving in Egypt vs. Hungary: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road rules of Egypt and Hungary, significant contrasts emerge that can impact driving experiences. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol regulations and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a safe journey. Be prepared and informed to navigate the roads of these two distinct nations effectively.
Lanes
| Egypt | 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 | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
egypt:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
egypt:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
hungary:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
hungary:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 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 | Fixed speed limits | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
egypt:
40-60 km/h
hungary:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Egypt | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Prepares traffic for a green signal. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines can occur for excessive misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal other drivers or warn of presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not officially regulated | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some situations due to high traffic density | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
hungary:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
hungary:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
hungary:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
hungary:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
hungary:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Egypt | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Egypt | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Egyptian driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Displayed on the license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Required |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
hungary:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Common in high traffic areas | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, though not always observed | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Only in emergency situations |
| 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 | Give way and allow passage | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
hungary:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
hungary:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
hungary:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
egypt:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | 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 | Conducted frequently | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
egypt:
0.02%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 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
egypt:
122
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days