Driving in Hungary vs. Ireland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Hungary and Ireland, understanding the distinct rules and regulations is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Key variations include driving on opposite sides, diverse speed limits, and unique overtaking norms. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts can significantly enhance your travel experience and promote safer driving abroad.
Lanes
| Hungary | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 |
Driving Side
hungary:
Right
ireland:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
hungary:
Yes
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
ireland:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
ireland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
ireland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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 | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
ireland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
ireland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
ireland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
ireland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
ireland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| Hungary | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
hungary:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
hungary:
Signal when exiting
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Turns
| Hungary | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
ireland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
ireland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Random breath testing is common. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
ireland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
ireland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license |
| 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 | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay