This is what you need to do if a police officer stops you in Hungary!

Photo: MTI/Varga György

Despite having a driver’s license and having been driving for decades, many people are still embarrassed if they are stopped by a police officer. Many people do not know what to do, how to behave, and what to expect during a roadside inspection. With the help of the National Police Headquarters, we want to make the situation clearer.

Police officers can stop you for speeding, minor misdemeanours or just to spot-check people during a roadside inspection. However, most drivers are unsure of what to do in such a situation, vezess.hu writes.

The police officer may stop you with a hand signal, a traffic baton or with a sign.

“The police officer must use the distinctive light signal at all times during stops and during checks on the roadway, pavement and stop lane,” the National Police Headquarters (ORFK) writes.

If someone accidentally does not notice the signal, the vehicle to be stopped will be followed by the police, or they will try to stop it safely with the involvement of additional units.

Therefore, the police officer can track the selected vehicle, but it is important to consider traffic safety. So, do not expect to see car chases in Hungary like in the movies.

Police officers can also stop you from “undercover” civilian cars.

However, many are reluctant to stop for unfamiliar people. Many people are afraid of scams or aggressive motorists. The ORFK emphasises that a loudspeaker or a distinctive signal from a civilian car clarifies that those in the civilian car are indeed police officers.

You want to stop, but where should you?

According to the rules, you have to stop at the first safe option. There is no need to sit around or be nervous; however, the police emphasise that the most important thing is cooperation. During the inspection, the police officer gives clear, comprehensible instructions and informs about the procedure. For proper communication, lower the window and turn down the volume of your radio.

During the inspection, they will ask for your identity card and driver’s license, as well as your car’s vehicle registration certificate, and you are required to hand them over.

The police can also check these electronically, but it is mandatory to keep them with you under the current legislation. Police.hu notes that it is worth paying attention to the current news about possible traffic changes. Currently, increased control is expected due to the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress.