Hungary KRESZ DE cheat sheet

The KRESZ applies to everyone using public roads and to private roads open to public traffic; a road user must behave so as not to endanger or obstruct others and must avoid avoidable disturbance.

Traffic is right-hand in Hungary: vehicles keep to the right of the carriageway, and on a two-way road the right half belongs to the direction of travel.

Key definitions: carriageway (úttest) is the part of the road for vehicles; roadway lane (forgalmi sáv) is one lane of the carriageway; hard shoulder (leállósáv) is not a lane for normal travel.

A vehicle is 'in motion' until it stops for a reason other than traffic conditions; standing (várakozás) is a stop longer than necessary for boarding or loading, and is subject to the parking rules.

Traffic may be controlled by police officers, light signals, signs and markings; the order of precedence is officer, then light signal, then sign, then road marking, then general rules.

Only persons holding the required licence category and physically and mentally fit may drive; a driver must be able to control the vehicle at all times and must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

A driver must give way to emergency vehicles (police, ambulance, fire) using blue flashing lights and/or sirens, and must facilitate their passage, stopping if necessary.

Participants must obey instructions of authorised traffic controllers even when these contradict signs or signals; a signal to stop must be complied with immediately.

Accidents must be reported; if anyone is injured or there is significant damage, the police must be called, and drivers must stop, secure the scene and render assistance within their ability.

Danger warning signs are triangular with a red border and white background; they announce a hazard ahead and generally require reducing speed and increased care, not a specific speed limit.

Prohibitory signs are circular with a red border (e.g. no entry, speed limit, no overtaking); they take effect from the point where they are placed unless a supplementary plate states otherwise.

Mandatory signs are circular and blue (e.g. compulsory direction, minimum speed, cycle path); they prescribe behaviour rather than forbid it.

Priority signs: 'Give way' (inverted triangle) and 'Stop' (octagon) require yielding; the priority road sign (yellow diamond) means you have priority at junctions on that road until cancelled.

Information and direction signs are rectangular, often blue or green (motorway), and do not themselves create obligations except where a specific sign shape so provides.

Traffic lights: red means stop before the stop line; flashing yellow means proceed with care following signs and general priority rules; a green arrow permits the indicated direction even if the main light is red.

Road markings: continuous white line must not be crossed; broken line may be crossed if safe; a yellow zigzag or yellow line indicates a no-stopping or no-parking zone.

A sign with a supplementary plate (e.g. distance, vehicle category, time) applies only as specified on the plate; ignoring the plate is a common source of error.

Signals of a police officer or authorised person override all signs and light signals; a raised arm or whistle means stop.

At an uncontrolled junction where the priority road sign does not apply, the general rule is: give way to traffic approaching from the right.

The 'priority road' sign (yellow diamond) gives priority over all side roads until cancelled by an 'end of priority road' sign; at such junctions you still must yield to pedestrians on a crossing and to vehicles already in the junction.

Turning left: you must give way to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right; turning right: you must give way to pedestrians and cyclists continuing straight on the road you are joining.

Entering a roundabout: unless signs indicate otherwise, give way to traffic already circulating in the roundabout; the roundabout is generally signed with give-way markings at entry.

A vehicle already in the junction has priority over a vehicle entering it; do not enter a junction if you cannot clear it (blocking the box).

Trams have priority over other vehicles where they run on tracks alongside the road; yield to a tram approaching from either direction unless a signal or sign says otherwise.

At a T-junction the road ending must give way to traffic on the through road, even if the through road is on the left.

When two vehicles meet on a narrow road where passing is impossible, the one with the obstacle on its side must give way; on a slope, the descending vehicle generally gives way to the ascending one.

Pedestrians on a marked pedestrian crossing have absolute priority once they have stepped onto it; drivers must stop and not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

Default limits (unless signed otherwise): built-up areas 50 km/h; outside built-up areas 90 km/h; motorways 130 km/h; expressways 110 km/h.

For vehicles over 3.5 t and for buses, lower limits apply (often 70/80 km/h outside built-up areas); trailers reduce the limit by 10 km/h on motorways and expressways.

A driver must never exceed a speed at which the vehicle can be stopped within the visible and clear distance ahead; this 'safe speed' rule overrides the posted limit in poor visibility.

Minimum following distance: at least the distance travelled in 2 seconds in good conditions; in rain, at night, or on slippery roads at least double this.

Reduce speed near schools, pedestrian crossings, junctions, roadworks and in fog, rain, snow or darkness; speed must be adapted to road, weather, visibility and traffic conditions.

On motorways, driving too slowly (below a safe minimum) is also an offence when it obstructs traffic; keep right except when overtaking.

Speed limits shown on a circular red-bordered sign end at the 'end of speed limit' sign or at the next junction unless a new sign appears.

In a built-up area, a 30 km/h zone may be indicated by signs; within it the lower limit applies to all vehicles until cancelled.

Overtake on the left; overtaking on the right is permitted only when the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room, or in slow-moving queues where lanes move at different speeds.

Before overtaking: check mirrors and blind spot, signal, ensure no oncoming traffic, no solid line, no pedestrian crossing ahead, and sufficient clear road to return.

Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, at level crossings, on blind bends, on brows of hills, and where a continuous line or a 'no overtaking' sign applies.

A vehicle being overtaken must not accelerate; keep right and allow the overtaking vehicle to complete the manoeuvre safely.

Lane changes: signal in good time, check mirrors and blind spot, and do not change lanes if it would force another driver to brake or swerve.

Turning: position in the correct lane well before the junction; turning left keep near the centre line, turning right keep near the right edge; do not cut the corner.

On multi-lane roads keep to the rightmost lane unless overtaking or preparing to turn; the left lane is for overtaking and faster traffic.

Reversing is permitted only where it does not endanger others; you must not reverse onto a main road from a side road or across a pedestrian crossing.

When joining a road from a private area, petrol station or parking place, you must give way to all traffic already on the road.

Stopping (megállás) is permitted only where it does not obstruct traffic; parking (várakozás) requires a designated or permitted place and must not block entrances, crossings or fire hydrants.

Parking is prohibited within 5 m of a pedestrian crossing, at bus stops, on tram tracks, on bridges, in tunnels, and where a sign or yellow line forbids it.

Park parallel to the kerb, in the direction of traffic, as close as practicable; on a hill, turn wheels toward the kerb and apply the handbrake.

At night, a parked vehicle on an unlit road outside a built-up area must show parking lights; in built-up areas this is generally not required if street lighting exists.

Do not park on the carriageway where a cycle lane, bus lane or tram track runs; keep clear of driveways and accessible parking bays unless entitled.

A vehicle may stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway only in an emergency; use warning triangle and hazard lights and exit on the safe side.

Blue zone parking requires a parking ticket or disc displayed visibly; disabled bays require a valid badge and are otherwise prohibited.

Leaving a parking place: give way to all traffic on the road and signal before moving off; a vehicle entering the road from a parking space has no priority.

Parking against traffic direction (facing oncoming traffic) is prohibited on two-way roads at night and generally where it endangers others.

Pedestrians must use the pavement; where there is none, walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic, single file on narrow roads.

At a marked pedestrian crossing (zebra), pedestrians have priority once they show intent to cross; drivers must slow and stop, and must not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

Cyclists must use the cycle path where provided; otherwise they ride on the right edge of the carriageway, and may ride two abreast only where it does not obstruct traffic.

Cyclists must have a white front light, red rear light, red reflector and working brakes; at night and in poor visibility lights are mandatory.

When turning, drivers must check for cyclists and pedestrians in the blind spot, especially before turning right across a cycle lane.

Animal-drawn vehicles must keep to the right, show lights at night and are subject to lower speed limits; drivers must allow extra space when passing horses.

Give extra space (at least 1 m in built-up areas, 1.5 m outside) when overtaking cyclists and pedestrians; do not sound the horn aggressively.

Children, elderly and disabled pedestrians may behave unpredictably; reduce speed and be prepared to stop near schools, playgrounds and care homes.

A driver must not stop or park on a pavement or cycle path where it would force pedestrians or cyclists into the carriageway.

At a level crossing with a flashing red light, barrier or bell, you must stop and wait; never enter while the light flashes or the barrier is down, even if the train seems far away.

At an unguarded level crossing, approach at a speed allowing you to stop within the visible distance; look both ways and cross without stopping on the tracks.

Never stop on railway tracks; if traffic ahead would block your exit, wait before the crossing.

Motorways (autópálya) are for motor vehicles capable of at least 60 km/h; pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds and slow vehicles are prohibited.

On a motorway: drive on the rightmost lane, use the left lane only to overtake, and never stop, reverse or make a U-turn; use emergency lanes only in an emergency.

Expressways (autóút) follow similar rules with a 110 km/h limit; they may have at-grade junctions, unlike motorways.

When entering a motorway, use the acceleration lane to match speed and give way to traffic already on the motorway.

When leaving, signal early, move into the deceleration lane and reduce speed only after entering it; do not brake on the main carriageway.

In tunnels, keep headlights on, maintain a safe distance and do not stop or turn; follow variable signs and instructions.

A vehicle must be roadworthy: brakes, steering, tyres (minimum tread depth), lights, wipers and exhaust must be in working order; tyres must be appropriate for the season.

Lighting: use dipped headlights at night and in poor visibility; main beam only where it does not dazzle others; fog lights only in fog or heavy rain.

Daytime running lights or dipped headlights are required outside built-up areas during the day; in tunnels and poor visibility, headlights are always required.

The vehicle must carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit and, where required, a fire extinguisher and reflective vest; the vest must be worn when outside the vehicle on an unlit road.

Loads must be secured so they cannot shift or fall; a load projecting more than 1 m beyond the vehicle must be marked with a red flag or light at night.

Passengers and loads must not obstruct the driver's view or control; the number of passengers must not exceed the registered capacity.

Trailers must be coupled securely with a safety connection, have working lights and a registration plate, and observe lower speed limits.

Winter tyres are recommended and required in some conditions; chains may be used only on snow-covered roads and where permitted.

A vehicle involved in an accident or with a defect affecting safety must not be driven until repaired; police may order a technical inspection.

Hungary applies a zero-tolerance alcohol rule for drivers: any measurable blood alcohol content is an offence; do not drive after drinking at all.

Driving under the influence of drugs or medication impairing driving is prohibited; police may require a breath or blood test, and refusal is itself an offence.

Drivers must carry a valid driving licence, vehicle registration document, proof of insurance (or green card where applicable) and, for commercial vehicles, additional permits.

The vehicle must have valid compulsory third-party insurance (kgfb); driving without it is an offence and can lead to a significant fine.

Driving licence categories and medical fitness: a medical certificate is required at defined intervals, and certain conditions (e.g. epilepsy, severe vision loss) must be reported.

Penalty points (büntetőpontok) accumulate for traffic offences; serious offences can lead to licence suspension and fines.

A driver must report a change of address or name to the licensing authority within the prescribed period; the licence must be updated accordingly.

Accidents involving injury must be reported to the police immediately; leaving the scene of an accident (cserbenhagyás) is a serious criminal offence.

Driving licence must be produced on request by police; driving without a licence or with an expired licence is an offence with administrative and possibly criminal consequences.