Driving Differences: Hungary vs. Israel Explained
When navigating the roads of Hungary and Israel, drivers encounter unique regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signal norms, highlighting the need for awareness to ensure safe journeys. Understanding these variations aids in fostering road safety and adherence to local laws while abroad.
Lanes
| Hungary | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Rare | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
israel:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
israel:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; issued by traffic police | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
israel:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
israel:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
israel:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
israel:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
israel:
Yes
Signals
| Hungary | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Used before green light. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
israel:
Used before green light.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Hungary | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited unless a sign permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Varies; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
israel:
Varies; check for signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| 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
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
israel:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
israel:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | Moderate 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
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
israel:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.01% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.01% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
israel:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
israel:
0.01%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
israel:
0.01%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | Check local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
israel:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
israel:
Check local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
israel:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
israel:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Fines issued, points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines issued, usually high, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Fines issued, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail |
| 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
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay