Driving in Hungary vs. Sri Lanka: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the unique driving experiences in Hungary and Sri Lanka, several striking distinctions emerge. Hungary follows right-hand traffic rules, while Sri Lanka adheres to left-hand driving. Additionally, speed limits and vehicle lane usage differ significantly, impacting overall road safety for travelers. Understanding these variations is crucial for a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Hungary | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Allowed when safe. |
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Rare | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Driving Side
hungary:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
hungary:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
sri lanka:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hungary:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 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; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Hungary | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
hungary:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Hungary | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | International Driving Permit 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 | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | 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
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
sri lanka:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Hungary | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| 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 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| 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
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay