Driving in Hungary vs. Tonga: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the driving environments of Hungary and Tonga, distinct contrasts emerge that are crucial for ensuring road safety abroad. Notably, Hungary adheres to right-side driving, while Tonga follows the left. Speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations further illustrate the unique driving cultures of these two nations, making understanding these nuances paramount for travelers.
Lanes
| Hungary | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| 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. | N/A |
Driving Side
hungary:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
tonga:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
hungary:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hungary:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; issued by traffic police | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
hungary:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Hungary | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| 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 | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
hungary:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hungary | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required; proof may be 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
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
tonga:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Hungary | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 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
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| 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 | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred