Driving in Hungary vs. Sweden: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Hungary and Sweden, understanding their distinctive traffic regulations and driving norms is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Notably, Hungary enforces a zero-tolerance stance on alcohol, while Sweden allows a slight limit. Additionally, speed limits vary significantly, particularly in urban areas, highlighting the importance of familiarizing oneself with local regulations for a secure driving experience.
Lanes
| Hungary | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by 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.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
hungary:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
sweden:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90-100 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 | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Hungary | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
hungary:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
hungary:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
hungary:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
hungary:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
hungary:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
hungary:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
hungary:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
hungary:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
hungary:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Hungary | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
hungary:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
hungary:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
hungary:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
hungary:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Hungary | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
hungary:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
hungary:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| 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 | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
hungary:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
hungary:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
hungary:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
hungary:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
hungary:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
hungary:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Hungary | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
hungary:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
hungary:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
hungary:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Hungary | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
hungary:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
hungary:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
hungary:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
hungary:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
hungary:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, 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 | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
hungary:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
hungary:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.