Driving in Hungary vs. Singapore: Key Differences Revealed
When navigating the roads of Hungary and Singapore, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that can impact their travel experience. Key contrasts include the driving side—right in Hungary and left in Singapore—as well as varying speed limits and enforcement measures. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure and pleasant journey abroad.
Lanes
| Hungary | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Not allowed. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
hungary:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
singapore:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Hungary | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Singapore |
| 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; 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.
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hungary | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Display not required |
| 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
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| 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 and pedestrian zones |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
hungary:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| 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; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
singapore:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| 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, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay