Many traffic fines in the year 2024 increased significantly in Hungary. Depending on the type of violation, the new fines can range from several thousand forints to hundreds of thousands.
Alcoholic influence
Never, under any circumstances, get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol! But not because you can be punished by the police, but because when you are drunk, you drive differently than when you are sober, and this can cost other people’s lives.
However, it is good if everyone is aware of the penalties for drunk driving.
- If the driver’s blood alcohol level remains below 0.30 grams/liter or the air alcohol concentration is below 0.15 milligrams/liter, the uniformed officers will impose a fine of HUF 39,600, but if it is higher, we will receive a HUF 130,000 check.
- If the blood alcohol level in the body does not reach a blood alcohol concentration of 0.50 g/l or a breath alcohol concentration of 0.25 mg/l, then the act is not a crime, but a violation of the rules.
- We are talking about a criminal offense if the driver has alcohol in his system capable of causing a blood alcohol concentration of 0.50 g/l, or in the exhaled air a value higher than 0.25 mg/l of alcohol from the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Since the introduction of “zero tolerance”, the Btk. drunk driving is punishable even more severely than before. Due to the offense of drunk driving, in addition to fines often reaching several hundreds of thousands of forints, you can be banned from driving for several years, and you can also be required to undergo further training.
- If someone causes an accident or personal injury during drunk driving, it is considered a serious crime. It is also an aggravating circumstance if the driver has been previously (or even several times) convicted of drunk driving. In extreme cases, the punishment for recidivist drunk drivers can even be a suspended prison sentence, or in more serious cases, a suspended prison sentence.
No passing sign
In Hungary, a fine of HUF 80,000 is imposed for going through a red light, which is also higher than before, thereby encouraging regular traffic. Driving through the red signal of a railway crossing: HUF 100,000.
But what happens if it is suspected that the device flashing the red signal is broken? When can I drive through the red light?
No matter how logical it may seem, if the signal equipment has broken spectacularly and there is a kilometer-long, impatient line at the intersection, then you should slip through the red light after taking due care, but you cannot do that.
Earlier, we also asked the Communication Service of the ORFK what to do when the signal light has gone spectacularly wrong, and we would really like to go. Can we go through it? Should we stand there until the end of time or look for an alternative way? No, there is another solution to the problem.
Parking violations
The KRESZ is very specific about the parking rules: it is possible to stop on the road, on the right side of the road in the direction of travel, or in designated parking lots, according to its specific order. In all other cases, follow the posted signs. Parking on the sidewalk is generally prohibited unless permitted by a sign. Parking in the green area is also prohibited, there are usually no exceptions to this, but the definition of the green area is not entirely clear.
It is forbidden to stop within five meters of intersections and pedestrian crossings, it is also forbidden in other parking spaces, and of course where this is indicated by a sign.
Penalties:
- Unauthorized parking in a restricted area: HUF 65,000
- Stopping in a no-stopping zone: HUF 15,600-31,200
- Stopping at a designated pedestrian crossing: HUF 39,600-78,000
Violation of right-of-way and overtaking rules
Failure to give priority and violation of overtaking rules will result in a fine of HUF 26,000-52,000. This also applies to not giving priority at pedestrian crossings, in which case similar amounts can be expected.
Driving with an invalid technical permit
In order to participate in traffic in Hungary, vehicles must have compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance and a valid technical test. The existence of the technical test proves that the vehicle has been found suitable for participation in traffic.
For new passenger vehicles, the technical test in Hungary is valid for four years. In the case of used cars, the technical test is valid for three calendar years from the first use. In addition to the 3 calendar years following the first use, the technical exam is valid for 2 calendar years.
There are a few exceptions to the above: taxis must be serviced annually and oldtimers every 5 years. In the case of certain modifications, such as body painting, the technical examination may become necessary again.
Driving with an expired technical license also entails a severe penalty:
- 3-6 month term: HUF 31,200-62,400.
- Maturity between 6 months and 1 year: HUF 39,600-78,000.
- Maturity of more than one year: HUF 46,800-93,600
Using a mobile phone while driving
“The driver of the car cannot use a mobile radio phone in his hand while driving. The driver of a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle that is not a car may not use a hand-held mobile radio phone while driving, including when stopped for traffic reasons. says KRESZ.
The fine for using a hand-held mobile phone has also increased. In the case of an on-the-spot fine, it is HUF 26,000, but if the payment is not made on the spot, the amount increases to HUF 52,000. However, the police will not punish you if your phone is placed on a phone holder and, say, you are on a video call while driving.
Illegal use of a distinctive sign
In Hungary, only vehicles belonging to the police, government forces, ambulances or firefighters may drive with a distinguishing sign (blue flashing lights), and only in justified cases.
If a driver has a distinctive sign:
- possess it without a permit: you can expect a fine of HUF 24,000–46,800,
- and for illegal equipment: they can be fined HUF 31,200-62,400.
Failure to use a seat belt
In our country, not only the driver, but all passengers must wear a seat belt. In Hungary, it has been mandatory in the front since 1976, and in the rear seat positions since 1993. If someone fails to wear a seat belt and is caught by the authorities, they can count on the following punishment:
- Within a residential area: HUF 20,000
- Outside a residential area: HUF 30,000
- On the highway or motorway: HUF 40,000
Driving in a stop lane
The authority imposes a fine of HUF 156,000 for unjustified use of the freeway stop lane. This fine amount is one of the highest among the penalties that can be imposed for violating the KRESZ, thereby highlighting that the unjustified use of the stop lane is considered a particularly serious offense.
Entering a one-way street against traffic
According to KRESZ, while it is not illegal to enter a one-way street against traffic on a bicycle in Hungary, this is strictly prohibited for drivers of motor vehicles.
- A driver who drives into a one-way street against traffic can expect a fine of HUF 78,000.
Nature conservation area
Vehicles driving in a protected natural area – which can be a national park, landscape conservation area, nature conservation area or natural monument – can significantly damage natural and protected natural values and their habitat, the wildlife of the soil surface, they can destroy a lot of amphibians, reptiles and arthropods, they can trample plants, they can destroy habitats. Erosion occurring on the disturbed soil surface and the appearance of invasive species cause further nature conservation problems. That is why it is necessary to regulate these activities and, in some cases, tie them to a permit, it reads state nature conservation on its official portal.
Driving in protected natural areas (including cycling) requires a permit from the nature conservation authority. If the driver does not have such a permit, he can expect the following penalties:
- Driving without a permit in a nature conservation area: HUF 234,000
- Driving without a permit in a highly protected nature reserve: HUF 468,000
The highly protected area can only be entered on foot with a special permit (or by following a marked tourist path or educational trail)!
You can find out more about speeding fines in our article below:
(LINK)
Source: www.vezess.hu
