Driving in Hungary vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
The driving landscape in Hungary and the United Kingdom showcases intriguing contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. With Hungary's right-side driving and the UK's left-side rules, as well as differing speed limits and lane markings, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring safe journeys abroad. Discover key nuances that enhance your driving experience while navigating these diverse roadways.
Lanes
| Hungary | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| 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, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
hungary:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
hungary:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
hungary:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
united kingdom:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
hungary:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
hungary:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Hungary | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| 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.
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
hungary:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Hungary | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
hungary:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
hungary:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Hungary | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
united kingdom:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Hungary | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
hungary:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
hungary:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Hungary | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| 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 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay