Driving in Hungary

Driving is one of the best ways to discover this diverse country, but if you’re planning a road trip to Hungary, it’s essential you’re fully prepared ahead of time as driving there has many differences to the UK. 

To make your trip to central Europe as safe and effortless as possible, we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know before you go, from required documents to rules of the road.  

Driving a rented vehicle? Jump to the advice for driving a hire car in Hungary section

RAC European Breakdown Cover (Basic, Comprehensive and Single Trip) provides a wide range of benefits should you breakdown in Hungary to ensure you stay safe. 

To supplement this, RAC also offers travel insurance. Cover will include medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings, among many other benefits.

• A valid, full UK driving licence (you must also be 18 or over)
• A GB sticker (unless your car is equipped with EU number plates showing the country code in a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background) 
• Your motor insurance certificate
• The V5 registration document for your own car or the hire car paperwork for a rental

Aside from the documents above, there are some legally-required items you must bring with you to drive in Hungary.

Unless your headlights can be adjusted, it's a legal requirement to carry headlamp converters (stickers for your headlights when driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way).

A warning triangle is also compulsory to carry in vehicles in case of a breakdown.

It's also recommended to have:

• Spare bulbs for your car's external lights
• A fire extinguisher 
• A first-aid kit
• A reflective jacket
• A Green Card (this is no longer a requirement, but it could be useful to back-up your insurance documents and show you've got the minimum legal level of cover. To find out more, contact your insurance company)

You can pick up all the car kit you need from RAC Shop.

• Wear a crash helmet if you're riding a motorcycle
• Use dipped headlights during the day outside built-up areas, even when travelling on motorways 
• In Hungary, you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Vehicles from the right, public transport and emergency vehicles have priority
• You’re not allowed to use your horn in built-up areas, except in cases of immediate danger. You can use it outside urban areas when necessary
• If you’re involved in an accident with a Hungarian citizen, you must report the incident to the Association of Hungarian Insurance Companies
• Some sections of Hungary’s motorway system are toll-free, but for most you will need to purchase an e-vignette
• If you're caught committing a motoring offence while driving through Hungary, you could be given an on-the-spot fine of up to 300,000 HUF (around £740)
• The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts when travelling on public roads
• Children measuring less than 150cm in height must use a child restraint appropriate for their weight. Children under the age of 3 can travel on the front seat if the child restraint system is rear-facing and the airbag is deactivated
• In Hungary, there is a zero-tolerance policy on drink-driving, with the limit set at 0.00%. If you consume any alcoholic drink before getting behind the wheel, you risk a fine, suspension or prison sentence. It’s also illegal to allow someone to drive if they’ve been drinking 
• You must not use full-beam headlights at night in built-up areas

The speed limit is 50km/h in built-up areas, although a 30km/h limit is increasingly common in city centres. On open roads, the maximum speed allowed is 90-110km/h, while on motorways it’s 130km/h.

You must not use any radar equipment that interferes with specific radio frequencies to jam police signals.

• Parking can be limited in built-up areas, with restricted zones signposted. Wheel clamps are used in Budapest, and if you park illegally or cause an obstruction your vehicle can be towed away
• Certain types of vehicle can be restricted from entering Budapest and other major Hungarian cities when smog reaches a particular level 
• Unleaded petrol and diesel are readily available, as is LPG. Payment is generally made in cash, although some filling stations will accept credit cards
• You’ll find small snack bars and restaurants near the main petrol stations. Motels are not commonplace in Hungary – you’re more likely to find accommodation in the towns and villages off the main roads

In an emergency

112 - Here's a really important bit of knowledge; you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting.

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

Breaking down in Hungary

RAC offers great-value, flexible RAC European breakdown cover tailored to meet your needs. We also offer comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings.

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Hungary.

Though it might be a good idea to read through everything anyway, here are the most important things to know for drivers of rental vehicles:

Rental information

• The minimum age to hire a car is 2, although a surcharge may apply to drivers under 25
• You need a full, valid UK driving licence and usually a second proof of ID (passport)
• Some car rental companies ask that you have held your licence for a minimum term of 1 year
• Some companies require you to use a credit card for deposit
• You may not be able to drive outside of Hungary unless planned in advance - check with your hire company first
• Make sure you get car hire excess insurance before your trip to protect yourself from unexpected costs. It's almost always cheaper to do this with a separate insurer and in advance

Hire car driving tips

• Hungarians drive on the right and overtake on the left - the opposite to the UK
• The speed limit is 50km/h in built-up areas, although a 30km/h limit is increasingly common in city centres. On open roads, the maximum speed allowed is 90-110km/h, while on motorways it’s 130km/h
• Dial 112 in an emergency
• It’s compulsory to wear seat belts in the front and rear seats
• The blood alcohol content limit for drivers of private vehicles is strictly 0.00%

UK Government travel advice

See up-to-date travel advice