Driving in Hungary vs Latvia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Hungary and Latvia, drivers will encounter notable distinctions in rules and regulations that impact their journey. While Hungary enforces a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol, Latvia allows a limited BAC for general drivers. Additionally, the approach to speed limits and overtaking varies, underscoring the importance of understanding local driving customs for a safe and enjoyable experience.
Lanes
| Hungary | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| 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 | 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.
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
latvia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
latvia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 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 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 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 | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
latvia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Hungary | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Latvia |
| 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 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
hungary:
Signal when exiting
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Hungary | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Hungary | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| 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 vehicle inspection 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 | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
latvia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
latvia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 zebra crossings |
| 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
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
latvia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| 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, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
latvia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
latvia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
latvia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| 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 | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
latvia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
latvia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days