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How to get a driving licence in Hungary

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, category B

Getting your licence in Hungary

Theory questions, in 55 minutes55
Points needed to pass65 of 75
Theory test feeHUF 5,100
Driving test feeHUF 12,200
Driving in traffic during the test50 min

Exam centre fees from 17 July 2026. Driving school fees come on top.

Before you start driving

2
Learner permitNo separate permit. You learn in a driving school car with an instructor.
Medical checkYes. A certificate from your GP.

Required lessons

2
Driving school course (compulsory)At least 57 hours: 28 hours of theory and 29 hours of driving (9 basic, 20 main).
First aidA first aid course and exam, passed before you collect the licence.

Good to know

7
Minimum age17 for category B.
Licence validitySet by your medical certificate, which states how many years you're fit to drive.
Exam languagesHungarian, or another language the exam centre offers, whatever your nationality. If none fits, an interpreter appointed by the exam centre.
If you failNo limit on theory retakes. Pass the theory test within 12 months of starting the course, and the driving test within 2 years of passing theory.
Automatic or manualPassing in an automatic limits your licence to automatic cars.
New driversA 2-year probationary period after your first licence.
Already have a licence from abroad?EU and EEA licences stay valid. Licences from road traffic convention countries can be used for 1 year from arrival, then exchanged without tests. Others need a theory test, or a theory and driving test. See the Abroad tab.

Step by step

  1. Driving schoolEnrol on a course and get the medical certificate.
  2. Theory testOn a computer, run by KAV.
  3. Driving lessonsAt least 29 hours with the instructor.
  4. Driving testAbout 50 minutes in traffic, including 2 manoeuvres.
  5. LicenceThe exam centre sends your result to the government office, which issues the licence.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • Don't book the test the moment you reach the minimum 29 driving hours. The association of driving school heads says many learners need 40–50.
  • Stress is the most common reason for failing, says a well-known Hungarian instructor. It leads to missed right of way and forgotten signals.
  • Follow the rules even where locals don't, for example the limit in 30 km/h zones, and don't copy bad habits from family.
  • Practise in busy traffic on the kinds of roads used in tests. Big cities can have 15–20 possible test routes.

Based on: HVG: More and more learners fail the driving test (March 2025, Hungarian) ↗

Official links

KAV exam centre (Hungarian) ↗Government Decree 326/2011, §§ 17–18 (Hungarian) ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

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No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

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An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

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