Driving in Hungary vs. Russia: Key Differences Explained
When comparing the driving regulations in Hungary and Russia, notable distinctions emerge that impact road safety. While Hungary enforces strict zero tolerance for alcohol, Russia allows a slight blood alcohol limit. Additionally, speed limits vary significantly, particularly on highways and urban areas. Understanding these contrasts is essential for safe navigation in either country.
Lanes
| Hungary | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| 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: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| 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.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
russia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Hungary | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Russia |
| 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 | Russian; 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.
russia:
Not used in Russia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hungary | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Hungary | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
russia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
russia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.035% |
| 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 | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
russia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; substantial fines |
| 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 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay