Why Is How To Obtain Hungarian Driving License So Effective During COVID-19
How to Obtain a Hungarian Driving License: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide
Getting a chauffeur's license in Hungary is a structured process that welcomes both EU/EEA residents and third-country nationals. Whether somebody is a resident requiring to commute, a digital nomad settling down in Budapest, or a student desiring the liberty to explore the countryside, having a Hungarian driving license opens various possibilities.
Navigating the regional administration can at first appear difficult, specifically with language barriers. Nevertheless, the course to getting behind the wheel in Hungary is simple when broken down into manageable steps. This comprehensive guide details whatever needed to effectively obtain a Hungarian driving license (Category B for automobiles).
Prerequisites: Who Can Apply?
Before beginning the process, candidates need to fulfill certain legal and residency requirements set by the Hungarian government.
- Residency: Applicants need to have a valid Hungarian address card ( lakcímkártya) showing they have been homeowners in Hungary for at least 185 days.
- Age: The minimum age for a Category B (automobile) driving license in Hungary is 17 years old.
- Medical Fitness: Every candidate needs to pass a basic medical checkup to show physical and psychological fitness for driving.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Hungarian Driving License
The journey from a total newbie to a certified chauffeur in Hungary involves several distinct milestones.
Action 1: Obtain a Medical Certificate
The very first document required is a medical certificate of physical fitness.
- Go to a basic professional (GP) or a designated occupational health physician.
- The doctor will carry out basic tests (vision, hearing, basic health history, and high blood pressure).
- Those who use glasses or contact lenses must bring them along; the resulting license will note the requirement for restorative lenses.
- When passed, the physician concerns an official medical certificate ( Orvosi Alkalmassági Vélemény).
Action 2: Complete the First-Aid Course
In Hungary, completing a certified first-aid course and passing its examination is compulsory before requesting a full driving license.

- The Hungarian Red Cross ( Magyar Vöröskereszt) organizes these courses.
- Numerous driving schools ( autósiskola) package this course into their plans.
- The exam includes a multiple-choice survey and a practical demonstration of CPR and bandaging methods. (Medical professionals, nurses, and those with specific medical degrees might be exempt from this step).
Step 3: Enroll in a Driving School ( Autósiskola)
Picking the ideal driving school is crucial, particularly for non-Hungarian speakers. Lots of schools in Budapest and major cities offer courses and textbooks entirely in English.
The training is divided into two primary stages:
- Theoretical Training (Kresz):
- Typically consists of a minimum of 28 hours of classes (or an equivalent online self-study portal).
- Covers Hungarian traffic rules, roadway signs, and regulations.
- Practical Training (Vezetés):
- Can just start after passing the theory exam.
- Requires a minimum of 29 driving hours plus 1 practical test hour (amounting to 30 hours), covering a necessary range of a minimum of 580 kilometers.
Step 4: Pass the Theory Exam (KRESZ Vizsga)
Once the theoretical classes are finished, students must take the main computer-based theory exam at a designated federal government screening center.
- Format: 55 multiple-choice questions.
- Time frame: 30 minutes.
- Scoring: The test is out of 75 points (some concerns deserve 3 points, others 1 or 2). A minimum of 65 points is needed to pass.
- Language: Available in Hungarian, English, and German at a lot of city centers.
Step 5: Complete Practical Lessons and the Road Exam
After passing the KRESZ test, students are designated a driving instructor ( oktató) to begin useful lessons behind the wheel.
- Students find out fundamental automobile control, maneuvering, city driving, and rural/highway driving.
- Once the instructor concurs that the trainee is ready-- and the minimum hour/kilometer requirements are met-- the useful road examination ( forgalmi vizsga) is arranged.
- The roadway examination lasts approximately 50 minutes and happens on public roads with a main examiner being in the back seat and the trainer in the front traveler seat.
Summary of Costs and Timeframes
The time and financial investment required to acquire a Hungarian driving license can differ based upon individual learning rate and school charges.
Phase Estimated Time Approximate Cost (HUF) Medical Certificate 1 day 7,000-- 15,000 HUF First-Aid Course & & Exam 1-- 2 weeks 15,000-- 25,000 HUF Theory Course (KRESZ) 2-- 4 weeks 40,000-- 70,000 HUF Theory Exam Fee 1 day 4,600 HUF Practical Lessons (per hour) 4-- 12 weeks 7,000-- 12,000 HUF per hour Practical Road Exam Fee 1 day 11,000 HUF License Issuance Fee 1 week (processing) 6,250 HUFKeep in mind: Prices are price quotes and based on inflation, school prices policies, and the variety of extra driving lessons an individual may require.
Converting a Foreign License vs. Getting a New One
For expats who already hold a driving license from their home country, the procedure may vary significantly based on citizenship:
- EU/EEA License Holders: Generally, an EU/EEA license is valid in Hungary up until its expiration date. Holders can pick to convert it to a Hungarian license willingly without taking tests, provided they are habitual citizens.
- Non-EU/EEA License Holders: Third-country licenses are typically legitimate for only one year after establishing residency in Hungary. To continue driving legally beyond that period, motorists should normally go through the conversion process, which often needs passing the Hungarian KRESZ (theory) test and a practical driving test, though some nations have bilateral agreements that waive these requirements.
Essential Documents Checklist
When going to government workplaces ( Kormányablak) for administrative jobs connected to the license, always ensure you bring the following:
- Valid Passport or National ID card.
- Hungarian Address Card ( Lakcímkártya).
- Home Permit ( Tartózkodási Engedély) if appropriate.
- Medical Certificate of Fitness.
- First-Aid Certificate.
- Certificate of finished primary education (frequently needed by driving schools to prove compliance with Hungarian educational prerequisites-- typically an 8-grade school certificate or greater, equated if essential).
- Evidence of passing the theory and useful assessments.
Final Thoughts
Obtaining a Hungarian driving license requires patience, studying, and financial planning, but the reward is lifelong mobility within Hungary and throughout the European Union. By choosing an English-friendly driving school, studying the nemzetközi jogosítvány online traffic rules diligently, and keeping all paperwork arranged, new motorists will discover themselves navigating the beautiful streets of Budapest and beyond with self-confidence and overall legality.