Driving in Estonia vs Hungary: Key Safety Differences
When planning a journey through Estonia and Hungary, understanding the distinct traffic regulations and road customs is essential. From speed limits that vary significantly to unique lane markings and alcohol regulations, this comparison unveils crucial insights for ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Estonia | 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 | N/A | 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
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
estonia:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
hungary:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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 | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
estonia:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Estonia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | 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 | Estonian; symbols are standard | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
hungary:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
estonia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Estonia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Estonia | 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 | Required every year; proof must be carried | 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 | Mandatory | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
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
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Estonia | 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
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
estonia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
estonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Estonia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 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 | Common; checkpoints used | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 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
estonia:
112
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | 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 apply, points on license | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days