Living in Hungary

U.S. Driver's Licenses in Hungary

U.S. driver's licenses will be accepted in Hungary for one year after arrival in Hungary, provided that a certified Hungarian translation is attached to the document. U.S. citizens who are in possession of an international driver's license do not need to have their state driver's license translated, but must have both the state and the international licenses on hand when driving.

After one year of residence in Hungary, U.S. citizens must obtain a Hungarian driver's license.

The five Hungarian driver's license categories are:

• 'A' - Motorcycles
• 'B' - Motor vehicles, other than those in category 'A', having a permissible maximum weight not to exceed 3,500 kg (7,700 lb) and not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat.
• 'C' - Trucks, that exceed 3,500 kg (7,700 lb), which are used for transporting goods without a trailer.
• 'D' - Bus or van used for transporting passengers which have more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat.
• 'E' - Any vehicle in categories B, C and D plus a truck that draws a trailer.

Application forms and information are available at the district police stations. In certain cases (i.e., where the fitness to drive cannot be established from the foreign driver's license), an appropriate health certificate must be attached. When the Hungarian driver's license is issued, the American one will be held by the police for the duration of the bearer's use of the Hungarian license (which is valid everywhere in Europe). The police may waive this requirement if the bearer has no other means of identification. For more detailed information, inquiries should be addressed to the police station nearest to the U.S. citizen's residence.

Lost or Stolen U.S. Driver's Licenses

U.S. Driver's Licenses: The Embassy is not authorized to replace lost, stolen or expired driver's licenses. Only the issuing office, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the driver's home state, can perform that service. If you need an address or a telephone number, you can search the Internet for your state's contact information or you can consult the DMV list at American Citizens Services (no guarantee that we will have every state).

International Driving Permit

The International Driving Permit is valid in over 150 countries. The permit contains your name, photo and driver information translated into ten languages. This license is not intended to replace a valid U.S. license and should only be used as a supplement to a valid license.

Enclose your completed application form, two ORIGINAL passport-size photos, a $10.00 permit fee and the photocopy of your current driver's license and mail them to:

AAA/IDP, 2040 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 19103

Last updated: 08/12/2005