International driver’s license in Hungary

Do you even need an international driver’s license?

When you move to Hungary, after some time you are supposed to localize your foreign driver’s license. After that, your Hungarian driver’s license will be valid not only in Hungary, but also in every member country of the European Union and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, together with a few other countries with which Hungary has an agreement (see the list below). When you visit any other country, it is best to check with its consulate what kind of documentation is accepted there if you are planning to drive a car while abroad. For example, in the U.S. requirements vary by state.

A supplement to your Hungarian driver’s license

The international driver’s license is a supplement that is valid together with your original Hungarian driver’s license. It takes the form of a paper notebook, and it contains the same data that are displayed on your driver’s license card, but in more languages, including Spanish, German, Russian, and English as well as Hungarian.

The international driver’s license is valid for 3 years, but at most until the expiry of your original driver’s license. It is not valid on its own, and can be used neither for driving nor as an ID document.

Get your international driver’s license now

Anyone with a driver’s license issued in any member country of either the Geneva or the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic can apply for an international driver’s license in Hungary at any government office (“kormányablak”). Unfortunately, online application is not currently available; however, when you go to the government office in person, you receive the document on the spot.

• The processing fee is HUF 2,300 in 2022, which can be paid at the government office with a bank card or at a post office via a yellow check.
• You will need to submit 2 passport photos with the application (photos are not taken on the spot). One will be inserted in your international driver’s license, and one will be archived.
• You will have to present proper identification (your passport or Hungarian address and ID card) as well as your original driver’s license.

Hungarian driver’s license around the world

Your Hungarian driver’s license is valid in the below countries as well as in the EU, based on the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and on separate agreements between governments. Whenever you travel here, you do NOT need an international driver’s license:

• Albania
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• The Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Belarus
• Benin
• Bosnia-Hercegovina
• Brazil
• Cabo Verde
• Central African Republic
• Congo
• Cuba
• Ethiopia
• Georgia
• Guyana
• Honduras
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel
• Ivory Coast
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Liberia
• Macedonia
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• Myanmar
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Norway
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palestine
• Peru
• The Philippines
• Qatar
• Russia
• San Marino
• Senegal
• Serbia
• South Korea (Republic of Korea)
• The Seychelles
• South-Africa
• Switzerland
• Tajikistan
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Turkey (Turkiye)
• Turkmenistan
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam
• Zimbabwe

Whenever you travel to another country, you might need additional documentation to drive a car, such as an international driver’s license. Consult the given country’s embassy or consulate before your trip to make sure you have the right papers.

About Helpers Hungary

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