Driving in Hungary vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences Explained
Explore the driving nuances between Hungary and Kazakhstan to enhance your road safety while traveling. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane regulations, and traffic signals, with Hungary enforcing stricter measures on overtaking and alcohol consumption. Understanding these variations is crucial for a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Hungary | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| 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.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
kazakhstan:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hungary:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Hungary | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Hungary | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | Moderate use |
| 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
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
kazakhstan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | Call 102 |
| 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: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| 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
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay