HUNGARY – drives on the right

Please read the general notes in conjunction with those below.

Essential Safety Equipment

• Warning triangle
• First aid kit
• Headlamp converters
• GB plate (see note 1)
• Spare bulbs (see note 2)

Recommended Safety Equipment (by Hungary and/or EUroadlegal.co.uk)

• Fire extinguisher
• Reflective vest
• Torch

Seatbelt Requirements
The wearing of front and rear seatbelts is compulsory when fitted.

Children Passengers
Children under 12yrs/1.5m may not travel in the front seat.

Drink Driving Limits
The drink driving limit is zero.

Minimum Driving Age
The minimum driving age using a full UK licence is 18

Speed Limits

Lights
The use of headlights is compulsory on roads outside towns even in daytime.

Fuel
Nowadays, all petrol stations (benzinkút) in Hungary stock unleaded fuel. Most are open from 6am to 10pm, although 24hr service is now widely available at Shell, BP, Aral and Ágip stations. Fuel octane ratings are: 98 (extra), 92 (super), 86 (normal), 95 octane lead-free (olomentes benzin) and diesel (diezel). While self-service stations are on the increase, attended service (where tips should be given) is still the norm.

Carrying a spare fuel can is not permitted.

Tolls
Vehicles using the Hungarian motorways M1, M3, M5 and M7 need to be in possession of a motorway vignette, obtainable at petrol stations and post offices.

Parking
Most of the main tourist areas have free parking. Parking is permitted on the right-hand side of two-way streets and on both sides of one-way streets.

Parking in Budapest, like most major cities can be a real headache. If you are staying in a hotel with parking facilities, then your best bet is to use the metro (as there are relatively few multi-storey car parks in city centre). Double parking is rife although traffic wardens and clamping units do operate.

Fines
Motorists stopped for a traffic violation must pay the fine, on-the-spot, in the national currency.

Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are allowed only with headsets.

Emergency Numbers
Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services.

Local numbers:
Ambulance – 104
Fire – 105
Police – 107

The Hungarian Automobile Club operates a breakdown service on main roads at weekends and a 24-hour service on motorways. For further details contact the Hungarian Automobile Club, Rómer Flóris utca 4/A, H-1024 Budapest, tel: (1) 345 1800 or (1) 345 1755 (24-hour emergency helpline)

Other Useful Information
Traffic travels on the right and trams and buses always have the right of way.

Theft of, and from, vehicles is common. Be wary of contrived incidents, particularly on the Vienna-Budapest motorway, designed to stop and rob motorists.

Useful Words and Phrases

Embassy Details
Address:
British Embassy
Harmincad Utca 6
Budapest 1051

Telephone:
+36 (1) 266 2888

Email:
info@britemb.hu

Office Hours:
GMT/BST:
Mon-Fri: 0800-1600

Local Time:
Mon-Fri: 0900-1700

Website:
http://www.britishembassy.hu

Note 1: UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB sticker when driving in European Union countries.  Countries outside the EU still require national identification.

Note 2: Regardless of local requirements it is always a wise precaution to carry a spare set of vehicle bulbs and adjust headlamp beams for driving on the right. A spare bulb kit will not prevent a fine if you are travelling with faulty lights, but it may avoid the cost and inconvenience of a garage call out. On some cars it is inadvisable or impossible for anyone other than a qualified technician to change a headlamp bulb or lamp unit e.g. high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and carrying spare bulbs is not an option. However, it is recommended that spare bulbs are carried for any lights which may be easily and/or safely replaced by the owner/driver. Do not forget to ensure that you also carry any tools that might be required to change the various bulbs.

Disclaimer
EUroadlegal has made every effort to ensure that the information contained on this page is accurate and up-to-date.  In most instances the information has been collated from either an official document from the country concerned or from two or more reliable sources.  EUroadlegal cannot be held responsible for any actions resulting from the adherence to or ignoring of the information contained on this page. If you would like to contribute by adding, removing or modifying the data on this page based on your own experience, please us.