Driving in Hungary vs. Iceland: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Hungary and Iceland, understanding the nuances of each country's driving norms is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and regulations regarding alcohol consumption. This guide delves into these vital contrasts, ensuring you're well-prepared for your travels in both regions.
Lanes
| Hungary | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Rare | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
iceland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; issued by traffic police | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
iceland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
iceland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
iceland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| Hungary | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
hungary:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
hungary:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
hungary:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Hungary | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
iceland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
iceland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
iceland:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Hungary | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
hungary:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame