Driving in Hungary vs. Netherlands: Key Differences Revealed
When navigating the roads of Hungary and the Netherlands, understanding the distinct driving customs and regulations is essential for a safe journey. While both countries prioritize road safety, they differ significantly in lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol consumption policies. Discover how these variations can impact your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Hungary | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
netherlands:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 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, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Hungary | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Netherlands |
| 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 | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hungary | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| 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
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
netherlands:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Hungary | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
hungary:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; can be significant, 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 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required