| Main: Transportation: Road Traffic |
| Road Network | |
| Tollways | |
| Rules of the Road | |
| Infringement of Traffic Regulations | |
| Petrol Stations | |
| Parking | |
| Break-Down | |
| Highway Crime | |
| Unwritten Rules |
The public road network covers the whole area of the country. "The condition of Hungarian highways is, in general, relatively good. Maintenance and general road conditions in urban areas are good. However, roads in the provinces are narrow, badly lit, and in poor repair in some places. They are often used by pedestrians, agricultural machines, and animals requiring increased caution from drivers." (U.S. State Department Consular Information on Hungary).
All roads are toll-free except for the following motorways:
On the M1 and M3 motorways, stickers have to be bought prior to entering. Click here for more tollway information and rates: http://www.autopalya.hu/ .
On the M5 motorway, there are toll-gates at the exits. Passes are optional. Click here for more tollway information and rates: http://www.aka.hu/ .
Rules of the road in Hungary correspond to the internationally accepted standards. However, we would like to draw your attention to some rules, which may be different or handled with special care by the Hungarian border-guards and the police:
Infringement of Traffic Regulations
The policeman, who perceives infringement of a traffic regulation, can decide - depending on the seriousness of the offence -, whether he will disregard from a fine, will fine on-the-spot or will denounce the driver.
It occures sometimes, that policemen - due to low wages - want to be bribed. There are attempts to stop this dishonest practice. One of them is that fines have to be payed in by cheque. If a policeman asks you for cash, it is sure, that he doesn't work 'officially'. If the reasons, he wants to 'fine' you for, are obviously invented, don't pay. Probably, he will not denounce you, but if he does, it is always the party with more witnesses, who wins. Since it is the policeman, who has to tell first, how many witnesses he has, you have quite a wide scope of action. If you name more witnesses, than the policeman, then the charge is overwhelmingly withdrawn without conducting the proceedings.
The petrol station network is well developed. Most international companies are represented. The Hungarian national oil company (MOL) has the most petrol filling stations and the vast majority of oil companies are selling petrol bought from the MOL. The quality of the petrol complies with the international standards. The following fuel types are available: diesel fuel, 92, 95, 98 octane petrol. All petrol types are unleaded. Cars that require leaded petrol should be filled up with 98 octane petrol, which contains environmental friendly substitutes for the lead. The price of the fuels is depending on the world market price of oil. As of July 2002, one liter 95 octane petrol cost about 90 US cents/0,90 EURO and one gallon (4,5 liters) cost about 4 USD/ 4,00 EUROs.
In free parking zones, where parking time is limited, you must have a parking disc, on which you can set your arrival time. It must be placed on the dashboard, so that inspectors can check, if you have exceeded the time limit or not.
Generally, all major cities and frequently visited spots have designated metered parking zones, which usually include the city center or the parking area near the attraction. In parking areas with parking meters and automats, the payment of parking fees is frequently and regularly checked. There are three main types of metered parking zones:
Don't leave any valuables in the passenger compartment of your vehicle while parking.
In Budapest, improper parking vehicles will be towed away, if they are obstructing the traffic. If they don't, a wheel lock will be applied instead.
Telephone number for information on vehicles towed by city and contract wreckers: 383 0700
All international car brands are represented in Hungary. Spare parts supply is good except for cars, that were produced not for European sale. For such cars procuring can take from days to weeks (depending on transport method). Hungarian mechanics are well-skilled, repairing charges are significantly below the Western European level, while spare part prices are about the same. It is suggested to ask a resident to recommend a good service station, because the service level may differ significantly. Service stations are usually not open on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Telephone number of the break-down assistance of the Hungarian Atomobile Club: 188
There are two main types of highway robberies:
People dress up as policemen exploiting that foreign drivers don't know exactly, how Hungarian policemen are dressed. They stop cars and fine the driver for a real or fictitious offence. It is easy to find out, that they are not real policemen, because policemen mustn't take cash, fines must be paid in by cheque. PLEASE NOTE: Hungarian policemen are not obliged to identify themselves with a certificate or a badge (actually, they don't have a badge). Officially, it is their uniform that identifies them. PARADOX: If you meet a policeman and you don't obey his instructions, you may be denounced by him. However, if he's not a real policeman, then he can rob you. GOLDEN RULE: Except for the customs clearance, never give or show your money to anybody. Not even the police can instruct you to do so. It is only your papers (passport, driving licence, etc.) that may be requested from you by official persons.
Criminals select cars with foreign number plates in parking lots. They pierce one of the wheels or they don't do anything at all, but they simply follow the car and start waving to the driver showing that there is a problem with his car. When the driver stops, they offer their help. While the driver gets out to check the alleged defect diverted by one of the criminals, the other criminal steals the valuables from the car. The best method to avoid such a robbery is not to leave any valuables in the passenger compartment.
It's not as often used as in Southern Europe. Drivers usually use the horn only if somebody drives endangering other vehicles or if somebody doesn't drive off at green traffic lights in time.
One (long) flash means, that your headlights are dazzling the oncoming driver and you should dip them. Two or more short flashes and the oncoming driver's circling finger means, that there is radar speed check ahead on the road. This latter signal is often not used to women and drivers of cars with foreign number plates, because they are supposed not to understand it. One or two short flashes means, that the driver gives up his priority, and lets you go first. This is used to drivers of other cars and pedestrians as well.
The 90 km/h (56 m.p.h.) speed limit on rural roads is usually not kept by drivers. Exceeding the speed limit by not more than about 8% is tolerated by the police. If the road conditions are good and the traffic is not heavy, drivers may become impatient, if you don't drive faster than the speed limit. In city and town areas, never drive faster than the speed limit, because there is increased risk of radar speed check.
Driving is completely different in Budapest from that in all other parts of Hungary. Drivers are more impatient, so you should exactly plan your route, before you start. Possibly don't hesitate, which way to go, you may later turn back, if you took the wrong way. The police and the officers of the traffic department are more strict than anywhere else. In case of a parking violation, your car may be towed away within some minutes. The speed limit is often not 50 km/h, but more. Watch the traffic signs. There are some hidden radars at traffic lights, photographing cars exceeding the speed limit or driving through on red light.
Pedestrians have priority at pedestrian crossings (crosswalks) (except on red light), AFTER they have stepped on the road. Drivers will often not stop to pedestrians waiting on the pavement (sidewalk). If you are driving, then it is nice if you stop, but before you would do that, make sure that the cars behind you can also come to a stop and won't crash into your car. If you are a pedestrian, then you better wait, until there are no cars coming on the road. Or you may try to cautiously step on the road and then look if the cars approaching are willing to give you way.