Driving in Hungary vs Poland: Key Safety Differences
When driving in Hungary and Poland, distinct regulations and practices emerge that can impact your travel experience. From lane markings to speed limits, each country exhibits unique rules. Notably, Hungary enforces strict zero tolerance for alcohol, while Poland allows a slight limit. Understanding these crucial variations fosters safer journeys abroad.
Lanes
| Hungary | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. |
| 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 | 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.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
poland:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
poland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 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 | 140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
poland:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
poland:
140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
poland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
| Hungary | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Signals a change to green is imminent. |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | Polish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
hungary:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
hungary:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
hungary:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
hungary:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
hungary:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
hungary:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
hungary:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
hungary:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
hungary:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
hungary:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
| Hungary | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Varies by location; check for signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
hungary:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
hungary:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
hungary:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
hungary:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Hungary | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Mandatory every year. |
| 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: Requirement
hungary:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
hungary:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| 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. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
hungary:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
hungary:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
hungary:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
hungary:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
hungary:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
hungary:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Hungary | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; checkpoints used frequently. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Varies; can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
poland:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
poland:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
poland:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
hungary:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
hungary:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
hungary:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Hungary | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
hungary:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
hungary:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
hungary:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
hungary:
Use for first exit or straight
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
hungary:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 997 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | 981 or through your insurance provider. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Mandatory. |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. |
| 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 | Mandatory, fines apply. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Fines and license points apply. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
hungary:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
hungary:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.