Driving Differences: Hungary vs. Samoa Explained
When navigating the roads of Hungary and Samoa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact their travel experience. From differing speed limits to unique lane usage rules, understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey. This comparison highlights the essential contrasts in driving customs between these two intriguing nations.
Lanes
| Hungary | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| 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 |
Driving Side
hungary:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
hungary:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
samoa:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
samoa:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
hungary:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hungary:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| 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: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Hungary | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Samoa |
| 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 Samoan; 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.
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hungary | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Hungary | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not 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
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
samoa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Hungary | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; ST$50 to ST$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 | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| 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
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay