Driving in Germany vs. Hungary: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the driving landscapes of Germany and Hungary, distinct nuances come to light that significantly impact road safety and navigation. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol regulations, both nations exhibit unique rules. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in each country.
Lanes
| Germany | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
germany:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | Common | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
germany:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
germany:
100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Germany | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | 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 | German; symbols are standard | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
germany:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Germany | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Germany | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | 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
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Germany | 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 |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
germany:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Alcohol
| Germany | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
germany:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Emergency Services
| Germany | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Required |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | 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 | €30 to €60 | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days