Car rental in Hungary

In the territory of the country, traffic keeps to the right. Traffic regulations are strictly enforced, and violations are punishable by severe penalties.

1. Dipped headlights must be switched on at all times.
2. While driving a vehicle it is not permitted to use a mobile phone, except with a hands-free device.
3. The windscreen must have a light transmission of at least 75%, the front side windows at least 70%.
4. There are no restrictions on the level of light transmission for the rear windows.
5. The maximum width of the tinted strip at the top of the windscreen is 100 mm.
6. Passengers in the front and rear seats must wear seat belts (the passenger not wearing a belt will be fined).
7. Children under 3 years of age must be carried in a child restraint system (do not place a child seat on the front seat unless the airbag is deactivated).
8. Children over 3 years of age who are less than 1.5 metres tall may not sit in the front seat.

The penalty system in the country is structured so that the amount of the fine imposed on the driver depends on the seriousness of the offence committed, so the table shows the minimum and maximum levels of monetary sanctions. Amounts are expressed in the local currency, the Hungarian forint (HUF).

If there are no signs on Hungarian roads indicating a speed limit, the standard national rules apply:

• in built-up areas cars may travel at a speed not exceeding 50 km/h;
• outside built-up areas - 90 km/h;
• the maximum speed on motorways is 130 km/h;
• on main roads - 110 km/h.

Decided to use car rental services in Hungary? Find out about the specifics of local parking.

A long search for a free parking space is normal in the central parts of Hungarian cities. Leaving a vehicle in a non-designated place is prohibited.

Most parking spaces in the country are underground and drivers usually have to pay for parking. There is a car park next to each shopping or entertainment centre. Payment is made using special machines installed in the car parks.

Conditions for parking in on-street car parks:

• from 8.00 to 18.00 (on weekdays), parking is charged;
• outlying car parks can be used free of charge at weekends;
• the average cost is 120-400 HUF/hour.

Along roads there may be parking zones - pay attention to the signs indicating full or partial parking.

In the suburbs there are P + R car parks, which indicate that you can leave your car here at any time.

In Hungary, alcohol consumption and driving are taken very seriously, and it is prohibited to drive a vehicle while intoxicated. The maximum blood alcohol level for drivers, set by the government, is 0.00 ppm. Even with a minimal deviation from this level the driver will be fined, with the amount depending on the degree of the violation.

The maximum amount of fuel that can be transported is 10 litres (in cans). In Hungary drivers use the following fuels:

• unleaded petrol (95) at a price of 1.267 EUR/litre;
• diesel - 1.225 EUR/litre;
• gas (LPG) - 0.719 EUR/litre.

Leaded fuel is not available in the country.

The total length of roads in the country is 160 thousand km, of which about half have a high-quality hard surface. Many roads in Hungary are toll roads. To drive on them you need to obtain a special vignette, which in Hungary is issued in electronic form. Vignettes are sold in shops and vending machines, and their price is determined by the type of vehicle. Periods of validity for passenger cars:

• 10 days;
• 30 days;
• 365 days.

It is not permitted to drive on toll roads without a vignette. If you want to extend the validity of the vignette, you can do so at designated points of sale. Otherwise, the driver will be required to pay a fine.

The following roads are toll-free:

• M31;
• M86;
• M8;
• M9;
• section M1-M5;
• section M4-M3;
• bridge between routes 11 and 2.

A vignette is required for the remaining motorways.