Austrians are flocking to Hungary to get cheap driving lessons

As it appears, Austrians have been flooding Hungarian towns close to the Hungarian–Austrian border in order to get cheaper driving lessons. Sopron’s driving schools are well-equipped to handle the influx, employing numerous German-speaking instructors. However, is it really worth coming all the way to Hungary? The answer might surprise you.

“Driving tourism”

Austrians and Hungarians on either side of the border have been living is a symbiosis for long decades. While many Hungarians commute to work to Austria, Austrians frequently cross into Hungary for groceries or a visit to the hairdresser. Sopron, in particular, attracts many Austrians due to its proximity to the border and its status as a relatively large town in the region. Blikk reported that many Austrians are now flocking to Sopron to get their driving licences there, giving rise to “driving tourism”. Remarkably, Sopron already boasts over ten driving schools, a significant number considering the town’s size and population.

Overcrowded town

Interestingly, these driving schools are not run by locals but by individuals from nearby towns. Among the various advantages, the most significant draw for Austrians is the favourable pricing offered by Hungarian driving schools. Surprisingly, it costs half as much to undergo a course and pass an exam here than in Austria. In response for the high demand, Sopron has seen an increase in German-speaking instructors. Locals express frustration at the difficulty of securing driving lesson appointments, with instructors so overbooked that finding an available slot is largely a matter of luck.

Requirements for driving lessons in Hungary

The administrator of one driving school revealed that there are quite a few requirements for taking driving lessons in Hungary. Austrians must present a certified primary school certificate, an ID card, proof of medical eligibility as well as an address card. The latter is perhaps the hardest thing to obtain as driving test applicants must demonstrate at least six months of residence in Hungary. Fortunately, temporary residence suffices, negating the need for permanent relocation.

Are these licences valid in Austria?

In theory, EU countries accept each other’s driving licences without any issues. However, there have been a number of reports on cases where authorities refused to accept licences that were obtained in other countries. For instance, an Austrian woman’s Hungarian driving licence was rejected by the Austrian authorities. They claimed she lacked justification for obtaining it in Hungary. Moreover, her license was revoked, thus she had to restart the entire course in Austria.

Is it really worth it?

It is quite questionable whether it is really worth obtaining a driving licence in Hungary. Under the current Austrian law, you can use your EU driving licence in the country for a maximum of five years, after which they must be exchanged for an Austrian license, a process costing around HUF 23,000 (EUR 60), excluding the medical examination. Presently, a category B license in Austria costs approximately EUR 1,950, nearly double the Hungarian price of HUF 375,000 (EUR 994). Notably, this Hungarian cost does not cover additional lessons or exams in case of failure.

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