Driving Differences: Hungary vs. North Macedonia
When navigating the roads of Hungary and North Macedonia, understanding the distinct rules and regulations is vital for ensuring a safe journey. Key variations include lane usage, speed limits, and documentation requirements. This comparison highlights critical aspects that every driver should be aware of to enhance their driving experience while traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Hungary | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| 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 with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| 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.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
north macedonia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 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: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Hungary | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
hungary:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
hungary:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
hungary:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Hungary | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hungary | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on the 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
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| 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 |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
hungary:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
north macedonia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Hungary | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, 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 | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay