Driving in Hungary vs. Philippines: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Hungary and the Philippines, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices. This comparison reveals critical contrasts, such as Hungary's zero tolerance for alcohol and stricter speed limits, versus the Philippines' more relaxed stance on certain overtaking rules. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Hungary | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Rare | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
philippines:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
hungary:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; issued by traffic police | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
hungary:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Hungary | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used |
| 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 | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
philippines:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
philippines:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Hungary | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Hungary | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| 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
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
hungary:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
| 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
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
philippines:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
philippines:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| 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 | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance