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Guide to Driving in
Hungary
Table of Contents
» Car Theft: Risk and Prevention
» Required Documents
» Safety Requirements
» Signs and Tolls
» Accidents and Law
» Gas Station “Etiquette”
» Hungarian “Car Talk”
2
Motor vehicle thefts recorded by the police
2002-2012
3
Preventing theft:
a multi-layered approach
Layer 1: Common sense - car locked, keys secured, parking location
Do not leave valuables visible inside your vehicle (money, phone, HAW badge, laptop, GPS, etc)
Layer 2: Warning devices: alarms, etc.
Layer 3: Immobilizing devices: smart keys, fuse cut-offs, etc.
Layer 4: Tracking devices (e.g. GPS technology)
4
Documents required to operate a
POV purchased in Hungary
1. Vehicle registration
2. Proof of payment of 3rd Party Liability
Insurance
3. Green Insurance card
4. U.S. Passport or Drivers License
5. International Drivers Permit (AAA or
AATA)
5
1. Jármű forgalmi engedély
(vehicle registration)
You must have this document in
your car at all times
6
2. Proof of payment of 3rd
Party Liability Insurance
You must have this document in your car at all times
7
3. Green insurance card for travel outside Hungary
You must have this document in your car at all times
8
4. Driver’s license or passport
This document should be carried on your person at all times
Amerikai Nagykövetség
Budapest, 1054 Szabadság tér 12. Magyarország
Amerikai tipusú gépkocsivezetői jogosítványnak hiteles fordítása.
BRFK :
IGAZGATÁSRENDÉSZETI FŐOSZTÁLY RÉSZÉRE
AMERIKAI NAGYKÖVETSÉG : Személyzeti Osztály
DATUM:
08 /08 /2002
CSALÁDI NEVE:
KIBOCSÁTÁS DÁTUMA:
BERNLOHR
LAST NAME:
ISSUE DATE: 27 May 2000
ÉRVÉNYES:
UTÓNEVE:
FIDO
FIRST NAME:
EXP DATE::
31 Jul 2006
JELLENLEGI CÍME:
1054 Budapest
SZÜLETÉSI IDEJE: 6 Jul 1956
ACTUAL ADDRESS:
Matyas Kiraly ut 34A
DATE OF BIRTH: (but some tell me “ yesterday” )
EGYESÜLT ÁLLAMOK–BELI CÍME:
NEME:
U.S. ADDRESS: Back yard of 5009 N. 13 th St, Arlington, VA 22205
SEX- M / F: Male
VEZETŐI ENGEDÉLY SZÁMA:
KIBOCSÁJTÓ ÁLLAM:
STATE OF ISSUE: Virginia
This license is valid only for passenger
vehicles up to 7,700 GVW
DRIVING LICENSE NUMBER: T69-66-4572
ÉRVÉNYES “B” KATEGORIÁJÚ JÁRMŰ VEZETÉSÉRE
Valid US license with
an official translation
into Hungarian is good
for one year.
HIVATKOZÁS: Dr. PINTÉR SÁNDOR BELÜGYMINISZTER, DECEMBER 28-I ÉRTESITŐ LEVELE
_____________________
Aláírás
Signature
Személyzeti Osztály vezetője
Human Resources Officer
9
5. International Driving Permit
(e.g. issued by AAA or AATA)
This document should be carried on your person at all times
Note 1: The IDP is valid only when used with the bearer’s corresponding US driving license
Note 2: International Drivers Licenses (IDL’s) are not recognized by the State Department
10
Documents Required for U.S. Vehicles
(CDA Plate Registration)
1. Primary Liability Insurance (Geico or Clements)
2. U.S. Title/Registration
3. Origin of Last Registration
4. U.S. Drivers License & International Drivers
Permit (AAA or AATA)
11
Some Rules
to Remember
» Don’t drink and drive: zero tolerance for alcohol
Motor vehicle BAC limit is .001 - Bicycle BAC is .5 on residential streets
» At unmarked intersections, cars approaching from the
right have the right of way
» Turning right on red is legal only at intersections
equipped with a right turn indicator
» Spare tires and bulbs are recommended, but not required
12
Some Rules
to Remember
» The implied consent provision states that refusal to
submit to a chemical test will result in a forced blood
sample at a local medical facility
» The only requirement for warning triangle placement on
rural or main highways is to ensure approaching vehicles
have enough time/distance to stop safely
» Blue parking lines indicate pay parking
» Parking within 5 meters an intersection or 30 meters of
railroad crossing is illegal
13
Some Rules
to Remember
» Sound signal (horn) is only to be used to warn others of
danger and to prevent accidents
» All vehicles must have seatbelts for each occupant
»There is no restriction to towing vehicles in Hungary
» Drivers of vehicles being overtaken must stay as close as
possible to the right edge of their lane/road
»Parking on either side of a two-lane road is prohibited, but
parking on either side of a one-way is allowed, unless
otherwise indicated in either case
14
Some Rules
to Remember
» Vehicles must stop for loading and unloading of all buses
whether on or off-base
» If a bus carries the sign above and has its safety signals
on, you may not pass it
» Avoid hugging the right side of the road during fog
» When approaching animal-drawn vehicles, watch for
driver signals & slow down or stop to prevent panic
» When passing cyclist on narrow roads, slow down and
wait until rider can be safely overtaken with adequate
clearance
15
Other Requirements
» Car seats and booster seats for children under 3 years of age
and 150 cm in height. Children must exceed both
requirements to be exempt from car seats
»Follow your vehicle safety manual when children are
passengers in a POV. Two children under 10 years of age
count as one adult
» Mobile phone prohibition (only hands-free phone allowed)
» Snow tires/snow chains, if warranted (Austria, Germany)
» Headlights on outside urban areas even in day light hours
16
General Speed Limits
(in kilometers / hour)
50
On city streets (31 mph)
**Quick Math Solution**
90
On country roads (55 mph)
km/h x6 ÷ 10 = mph
50 km/h x6 ÷ 10 = 30 mph
130
On major highways (80 mph)
Other area-specific limits posted in accordance with road
conditions, turns, repair work, and other local circumstances.
Note: Speed bumps aren’t always clearly marked!!!
17
Paying Tolls
» E-vignette needed for M1 (to
Vienna/Budapest), M3 (to Miskolc), M5
(to Szeged) and M7 (to Balaton)
MATRICA
VIGNETTE
Category
Weekly
(10 days)
Monthly
Yearly
D1 M (motorbike)
1470 Ft
4780 Ft
42980 Ft
D1 (Passenger Car)
2975 Ft
4780 Ft
42980 Ft
B2
(Small bus & truck,–
Above 3.5 ton capac.)
13385 Ft
21975 Ft
199975 Ft
Note: No vignette sticker for Hungary!
18
Paying Tolls
» An additional option is to buy annual regional (county) motorway passes for 5,000
HUF. This fee applies to only the county it is purchased for. Each county requires 5,000
HUF. E.g. Persons traveling frequently to Vienna airport pay 5,000 HUF (1 county).
Persons traveling frequently to Budapest pay 30,000 HUF (6 counties)
19
Parking in Pápa
» Single parking fee:
» 320 HUF/hr in Zone A
» 260 HUF/hr in Zone B
» Periodic parking pass (monthly, semiannual, annual):
» Fixed license plate:
7100 – 90500 HUF
» Non-fixed license plate:
12000 –150000 HUF
» Pay parking fees by:
» Prepaid pass
» Coins at the parking meter
» SMS (Hungarian parking service phone number is located on the parking
meters) Pápa, Veszprém, Győr, and Budapest are some of the cities with
this payment option. To use this option, stay with the vehicle send an SMS
with plate number “CDAXXX”. When finished text “STOP”. Service
confirmation messages are in Hungarian, service cost is 75 HUF
Not paying w/in 30 days: violator is liable to be fined by Police or
Municipality additionally and penalized. Do not attempt to pay citing officials!
20
Parking in Pápa
Parking pay zones A & B
Restricted parking areas
Downtown Area-max. 30 km/h
21
Parking Meters
1
2
3
2. Parking zone with no time restriction
3. Parking meter with debit/credit card and pay by phone options
Parking rates differ based on location and only accept local currency (HUF)
22
Accidents
Risk of Fatalities: USA vs Hungary
Number of Fatalities per 100,000 Passenger Cars:
USA
HUN
12.63
20.00
1.5x higher in Hungary!
Source: UN Economic Commission for Europe (2012 stats)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2012 stats)
23
Accidents
Common factors
» Very fast and very slow traffic on same road
» Tailgating in congested stop-and-go traffic
» Narrow, winding city streets and rural roads
» Distractions (radio, smoking, eating, phone)
If you cause an accident by striking a vehicle from behind, you will most likely be held
responsible (failure to keep a safe distance) and asked to consent to a breathalyzer test
24
Accidents
What to do if you are in one
1. Call the European emergency number: 112
2. Call CLO on-call duty phone: +36308575606
3. Present Military Residency ID card to the police
4. Do not sign or make a statement until assistance has arrived
5. Exchange name, automobile registration, and insurance info
with other parties in accident
6. Obtain name(s)/address of police at the scene
Vehicular negligence resulting in injury or death to others is a criminal offense!
25
Accidents
Hungarian-US Omnibus SOFA Article 9
» USAF Personnel involved in an accident cannot be fined on site.
» Hungarian police have primary responsibility for the investigation of an
accident, including preservation of the accident site, the questioning of
witnesses, and all other measures necessary for the conduct of a proper
accident investigation
» No fines, admonitions, or other penalties shall be levied by the Hungarian
police in connection with acts committed by members of the United States
Forces in the course of their official duties. Information regarding traffic
offenses and violations shall be forwarded to the senior United States Forces
authority for disposition.
» United States Personnel involved in an accident shall not be required to
make a written statement concerning their involvement in an accident. This
applies to members of the US Forces, as well as civilian component and their
dependents. (CLOs are subject matter experts, follow their guidance)
26
Regulatory Matters – Law
Hungarian-US Omnibus SOFA Article 15
» It’s the duty of USAF Personnel to respect the laws of the Republic
of Hungary.
» In addition, United States Forces are required to comply with
United States laws and regulations governing United States military
activities in foreign countries. The same applies to traffic law.
» Failure to comply with traffic laws, signals or directions of law
enforcement authority may result in suspension or revocation of
driver's license and/or withdrawal of vehicle registration privileges
and citation by Hungarian police
» US military personnel assigned to the HAW do not have diplomatic
immunity
27
No stopping or parking
No parking
Do not enter
28
You have priority
Priority road turns left
NO passing
29
Vehicle B!
30
Vehicles prohibited
except for
“targeted” traffic
except for
permit-holders
KIVEVE
CÉLFORGALOM
KIVEVE
ENGEDÉLYEL
31
1
2
3
1. Width limit is 2.2 meters
2. Height limit is 3.2 meters
3. Length limit is 10 meters
32
Three signs indicating RR crossing
ahead; 3-striped sign is posted
furthest (150-250 m) from crossing
Railroad crossing without barrier
but with warning light ahead
NEVER rely solely on watchmen, gates or automatic
devices when approaching railroad crossings. Vehicles
must stop and look at active, unguarded crossings.
33
Drive through the residential area
with a max speed of 10 km/h (in
the time period as indicated)
without endangering pedestrians
* Pedestrians always have the right of way in a painted crosswalk
34
Road crossing - yield to
oncoming cars on your right
Roundabout ahead
Other danger!
35
Oncoming traffic must wait
Traffic light ahead
Right of way
36
Slippery road
Snow chains mandatory
Road narrows
37
Motor vehicles prohibited
Motorcycles prohibited
38
Note: You are required to use your turn signal when exiting a roundabout!
39
Gas Station Pointers
» Get szamla
» “Tele kérem” = Fill it up please
» Tipping the attendant 100-200 HUF is customary
» When paying, refer to pump number
40
VAT Refunds on Fuel Purchases
AFA (value added tax) is 20% of total
Gross price is ~ $7.50/gal. Net price is ~ $6/gal !
41
…de a Magyarok
mennyit fiszetnek ezért?
Hungarian “Car Talk”
» A hogyishívják rossz.
The whatchamacallit is bad.
» Ilyen a hangja.
It sounds like this.
» Meg kell javítani.
It has to be repaired.
» El kell vontatni.
It has to be towed.
» Ez totálkaros.
It’s a total wreck.
» Milyen garancia?
What warranty?
42
All AFELM personnel and any dependents who will
drive in Papa are required to review this guide and take
the driving course located here:
TEST
You must score 100% in order to be considered
complete. This Commander’s Program is administered
by the U.S. NSE and enforced by the AFELM 1st Sgt.
Have a great Air Force Day!
43