Driving in Hungary vs. Serbia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Hungary and Serbia, understanding their distinct regulations and practices is vital for ensuring safety. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and the rules surrounding overtaking. This comparison will equip you with essential insights to drive confidently and responsibly in both countries.
Lanes
| Hungary | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| 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.
serbia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
serbia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
serbia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 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 |
| 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 |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
serbia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
serbia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Hungary | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Serbia |
| 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 | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
serbia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Hungary | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 may be required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| 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: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
serbia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
serbia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
serbia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
serbia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
serbia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
serbia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | 1987 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
serbia:
1987
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
serbia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
serbia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay