Driving in Hong Kong vs. Hungary: Key Safety Differences
Discover the essential distinctions in road regulations and driving protocols between Hong Kong and Hungary. From lane usage and speed limits to emergency procedures, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safety while navigating foreign roads. Get ready to dive into the unique driving landscapes of these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
hungary:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
hungary:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hong kong:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 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: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually sent by mail | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Hong kong | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn 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 | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Hong kong | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Hong kong | 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 annually | 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 | Recommended | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hong kong:
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
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | 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 left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
hong kong:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, 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 | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days