Driving Differences: Hungary vs. Portugal Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the unique regulations of Hungary and Portugal is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include Hungary’s strict zero-tolerance alcohol policy compared to Portugal’s limit of 0.05%. Additionally, while both countries prioritize pedestrian right-of-way, their approach to speed limits and lane markings differs significantly. Navigate with confidence by knowing these critical variations.
Lanes
| Hungary | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| 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.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
portugal:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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 | Possible |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Hungary | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Portugal |
| 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 | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Hungary | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Hungary | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Periodic inspections required; proof may be 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
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
portugal:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; €60 to €2,500, 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 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay