Driving Differences: Hungary vs. Slovakia Explained
When exploring the roads of Hungary and Slovakia, it's essential to recognize their unique driving regulations and safety measures. Key distinctions include speed limits for vehicles, usage of bus lanes, and traffic signal protocols. Understanding these variations will help ensure a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Hungary | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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' 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
slovakia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
slovakia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
slovakia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 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 |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Hungary | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Slovakia |
| 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 | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
slovakia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Hungary | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Hungary | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
slovakia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
slovakia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
slovakia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| 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 | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
slovakia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay