Driving in Guatemala vs. Hungary: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Guatemala or Hungary, understanding their unique driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signals, with Hungary enforcing stricter alcohol policies and designated bus lanes. Whether you're a local or a visitor, knowing these variations can greatly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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 | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | 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
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
guatemala:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
hungary:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
hungary:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 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 | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
hungary:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
hungary:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Guatemala | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | 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 | Spanish; 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Guatemala | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Guatemala | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | 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
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More 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
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
guatemala:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | 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, especially at night | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 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: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | 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 imposed | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days