Driving in Hungary vs. Thailand: Key Safety Differences
Discover the essential contrasts in road regulations between Hungary and Thailand, ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. From differing traffic light rules to speed limits, this comparison highlights crucial variations, such as Hungary's strict zero tolerance for alcohol and Thailand's more lenient limits. Stay informed to navigate safely in these distinctive driving environments.
Lanes
| Hungary | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| 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 |
| 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Rare | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. | N/A |
Driving Side
hungary:
Right
thailand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
thailand:
Prohibited
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
thailand:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Hungary | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Thailand |
| 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 | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Hungary | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| 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
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
thailand:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Hungary | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
hungary:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days