The Validity of Foreign Driving Licenses in Hungary

Using foreign driving licenses in Hungary is possible.

Moving to a new country goes hand-in-hand with a broad spectrum of challenges, and one of the challenges often overlooked is that of a driver’s license and its validity in a foreign country. On this page, we will be taking a closer look at the validity of foreign driving licenses in Hungary, and exploring how you can apply for a Hungarian driver’s license.

How to use foreign driving licenses in Hungary

If you are a citizen of a country that joined the International Vehicular Agreement of Vienna, you do not need to neutralise your driver’s license. If your country is not part of the Agreement, you will have to get your driver’s license neutralised before you can legally drive in Hungary.

The following countries joined the International Vehicular Agreement of Vienna:

• Austria
• Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Bulgaria
• Central African Republic
• Czech Republic
• Croatia
• Cuba
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Greece
• Germany
• Guyana
• Israel
• Italy
• Ivory Coast
• Kuwait
• Poland
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Republic of Macedonia
• Morocco
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Niger
• Norway
• Russian Federation
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• San Marino
• Senegal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Islands of the Seychelles
• Sweden
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Ukraine
• Uruguay
• Zaire
• Zimbabwe

How to neutralise your driver’s license

To get your driver’s license neutralised for legal use in Hungary, you will need to have your original driver’s license officially translated. You will also have to pass a medical exam, a first aid exam, and a technical exam. After you have passed the exams, you can submit your application for neutralisation to the Vehicular Supervisor Authority along with a valid residence permit and your original driving license.

Who needs a Hungarian driving license?

Citizens of countries outside of the EU have to exchange their original driving licenses with Hungarian licenses. Even if your driver’s license does not have to be neutralised, you are only permitted to use the original driving license for a period of one year before you have to exchange it for a Hungarian license.

Documents you will need to exchange your driving license

• Your identity document or passport
• Proof of residence (not the same as a residence permit)
• Original driving license and official translation of the license
• School certificates
• Completed application form

Aside from the documents you will need to exchange your original driving license for a Hungarian one; you will also need to have a medical checkup done, pass a theory exam, pass the driving test, and pass a first aid exam or traffic exam. If you need any advice on this process, our team of experts are waiting to assist you, so get in touch with us today!