Driving in Hungary vs. Switzerland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Hungary and Switzerland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their travel experiences. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance. Understanding these variations not only enhances safety but also enriches your journey in these diverse European nations.
Lanes
| Hungary | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
switzerland:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Hungary | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Prepare to go |
| 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 | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Hungary | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Hungary | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| 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
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
switzerland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Hungary | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
hungary:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
hungary:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| 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 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay