Driving Differences: Hungary vs South Africa
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Hungary and South Africa, where distinct regulations and road practices shape the experience behind the wheel. From contrasting lane usages and speed limits to alcohol tolerance levels, this comparison highlights essential variations that impact your journey and overall road safety abroad. Stay informed and drive responsibly!
Lanes
| Hungary | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| 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; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
hungary:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
south africa:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 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 | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Hungary | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in South Africa |
| 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 | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Hungary | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Hungary | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | 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
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Hungary | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hungary | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| 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 | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay