Driving in France vs. Hungary: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of France and Hungary, drivers encounter distinct traffic regulations and practices that significantly impact their safety and experience. From speed limits to lane usage and alcohol tolerance, understanding these crucial distinctions is essential for a secure journey. Explore the diverse rules that govern driving in these two European nations and ensure a safe adventure abroad.
Lanes
| France | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
france:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
hungary:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| France | 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: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| France | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | 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 especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; 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
france:
Not used in France
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
hungary:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| France | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| France | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | 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 in vehicle | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| France | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Limited use |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
france:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Roundabouts
| France | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
hungary:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Required |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| France | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days