Driving Differences: Hungary vs. Spain Explained
Driving in Hungary and Spain presents unique regulations and practices that are essential for travelers. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance levels. Understanding these variances not only enhances navigational skills but also ensures a safer journey while abroad. Discover the vital driving nuances between these two fascinating countries.
Lanes
| Hungary | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| 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.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
spain:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
hungary:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 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, commonly used |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Hungary | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Spain |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Hungary | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Hungary | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| 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
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
spain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| 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
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay