Driving in Hungary vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Hungary and Turkey, drivers will encounter notable distinctions in regulations and practices. From speed limits to lane markings, both nations prioritize road safety but approach it differently. Understanding these contrasts is essential for a secure driving experience abroad, ensuring you are well-prepared for your journey.
Lanes
| Hungary | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
turkey:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 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 |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 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 | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Hungary | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Hungary | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Hungary | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | More 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
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
turkey:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges