Driving in Hungary vs. Saudi Arabia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Hungary and Saudi Arabia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed limits, and vehicle documentation requirements. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and compliant journey in these two unique nations.
Lanes
| Hungary | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Rare | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
saudi arabia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
hungary:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hungary:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
hungary:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
saudi arabia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Hungary | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| 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 | Arabic; 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.
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
saudi arabia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hungary | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | Frequent use for communication on the road |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
saudi arabia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
saudi arabia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| 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, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
hungary:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay