Hungary Clarifies Truck Transit Rules. This Could Reduce Penalties

The Hungarian Ministry has clarified the rules governing the use of designated transit routes by trucks exceeding 20 tonnes. The key distinction is whether a vehicle is merely passing through Hungary or has a loading point, unloading point, or company base within the country.

On 3 June 2026, the Hungarian Ministry of Transport and Investment published an updated interpretation of the regulations concerning the movement of heavy goods vehicles. The document is intended to eliminate uncertainties that have arisen since the beginning of the year regarding the new rules requiring certain carriers to use a designated transit route network. The new interpretation was prepared with the involvement of industry organisations and was published in response to numerous concerns about the relationship between the Road Traffic Act and the provisions of the KRESZ traffic regulations.

The most important clarification concerns international transport operations carried out by vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 20 tonnes. The Ministry emphasises that international transit traffic is defined exclusively as a journey through Hungary without visiting a loading point, unloading point, or company base within the country.
This means that a truck engaged in international transport but having a loading point, unloading point, or company headquarters in Hungary is not subject to the obligation to use the transit route network and cannot be penalised for violating transit-related regulations.
The Hungarian road transport association NiT Hungary welcomed the publication of the clarification but pointed out that the document does not eliminate all inconsistencies between the Road Traffic Act and the KRESZ regulations. According to the organisation, the interpretation does not constitute a legal act; however, it may assist carriers, drivers, and enforcement authorities in achieving a uniform understanding of the applicable rules. In practice, this should reduce the risk of penalties resulting from differing interpretations of the same regulations.

Below is the detailed information provided by the Ministry of Transport and Investment regarding the use of the transit route network and other regulations governing the movement of heavy goods vehicles.

1. Transit Route Regulations (§ 3/A of the Road Traffic Act)

International transit traffic is defined as the movement of a vehicle which, after entering Hungary and until leaving the country:
● does not travel to a loading or unloading location (including a combined transport terminal),
● does not visit any company base or registered business premises.
Heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 20 tonnes that do not have a destination within Hungary and are performing transit transport operations may travel only on the routes specified by the regulations.

A destination is defined as:
● a company base as specified in Section 3/A(2),
● a loading or unloading location, provided that the vehicle actually travels there.

1.1 Scope of the Obligation to Use Transit Routes
The new regulations apply to vehicles or vehicle combinations that simultaneously:
● have a gross vehicle weight exceeding 20 tonnes,
● cross the Hungarian border by road,
● do not have a destination within Hungary.
Such vehicles may travel exclusively on the designated transit route network.

1.2 Transit Route Network
The transit route network consists of transport corridors connecting border crossings and border transit points, based primarily on motorways and expressways.



TRANSIT ROUTE NETWORK MAP

1.3 When Is It Permitted to Leave a Transit Route?
Vehicles subject to the obligation to use transit routes may leave the designated transit network only:
● for the purpose of taking a mandatory rest period,
● when travelling to a parking area that can be reached without passing through a built-up area.

2. Vehicles Exempt from the Obligation to Use Transit Routes

The following vehicles are exempt from the requirement to use the transit route network:
Domestic vehicles
● performing domestic transport operations,
● with a gross vehicle weight of up to 20 tonnes.
These vehicles cannot be penalised for violating transit route regulations.

International vehicles exceeding 20 tonnes with a destination in Hungary
Vehicles over 20 tonnes engaged in international transport are not required to use transit routes or the border crossings assigned to them if, during their journey, they visit:
● a loading or unloading location in Hungary,
● a company base in Hungary.
Such vehicles are also exempt from penalties for not using transit routes.

However, when using roads outside the transit route network, operators must comply with:
● the provisions of Sections 48(14)–(15) of the KRESZ regulations,
● traffic management measures established by the road authority (weight restrictions, entry bans, etc.).

3. Examples of When the Transit Route Obligation Applies

Obligation Applies
✅ Vehicle exceeds 20 tonnes
✅ Crosses the Hungarian border
✅ Has no destination within Hungary

Example:
● Spain → Romania (transit through Hungary)
In this case, the use of designated transit routes and the border crossings assigned to them is mandatory.

Obligation Does Not Apply
❌ The vehicle has a loading point, unloading point, or company base in Hungary.
Examples:
● Turkey → Hungary
● Hungary → Turkey

❌ Domestic transport operation
Example:
● Hungary → Hungary

4. KRESZ Regulations Applicable to Heavy Goods Vehicles

These regulations apply to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes.
According to Section 48(14) of the KRESZ regulations, outside built-up areas heavy goods vehicles may generally travel only on:
● motorways,
● expressways,
● main roads,
subject to any applicable restrictions on heavy vehicle traffic.
Information regarding such restrictions is published through the Útinform traffic information system.

Traffic Within Counties
According to Section 48(15) of the KRESZ regulations, a heavy goods vehicle may use all public roads within the county where the following is located:
● the starting point of the journey,
● the destination of the journey,
provided that no traffic restrictions are in force on those roads.

The following are considered the starting or ending point of a journey:
● a loading location,
● an unloading location,
● the place where a special-purpose vehicle performs its work,
● a company base.
If the starting point and destination are located in neighbouring counties, the vehicle may also cross the county border using lower-category roads.
For example, a vehicle travelling from a company base in Csákvár to a loading location in Oroszlány may use Road No. 8119.
As a general rule, a truck should first reach the nearest main road, expressway, or motorway within its own county. If this is not possible due to the configuration of the road network, it may use roads located in a neighbouring county.
Examples include journeys beginning in Nagymányok, Kismányok, or Váralja, where access to a main road requires travelling through the territory of a neighbouring county.