FenTiger

The only document I carry on me is my driving licence in my wallet but there's lots of occasions when I take no ID ... that's usually when I am out and about with the in-laws. I have been out and about with local friends from Malyi & Miskolc for past 5 days and not once had any ID with me. Maybe it's cos I dress like a native Hungarian! I've travelled to quite a few European countries and not once did I carry my passport with me if I could leave it safely at my accomodation! Only when I have hired a car did I carry my driving licence but not passport! Never been stopped but then I'm probably not a road hog like errmmm .....!

Rural Hungary

Hope you're not referring to me I'm like "driving miss daisy" on the roads It's only ever light problems I can stopped for, no lights, broken lights and any other light issue you care to think of. That said, I did once get stopped in Buzsak - they have regular police patrols round there - that was for no reason at all and I assumed that as it was lunch time, they were hoping to have lunch on me

fidobsa

I had to show my passport and ALL driving documents at the border crossing into Croatia, even though it is now an EU country.

Rural Hungary

I've never shown any drivers documents at border control - only my passport. I wonder if they have misunderstood the change on joining the EU - tighten up security instead of freeing up movement We did think it would be a wile before the border actually stops functioning, as soon as it does, fish market here I come - no more 5kg limit at the border

fidobsa

It might be years before they join the Schengen zone, if Bulgaria and Romania are anything to go by. It was the Hungarian side that asked for the car documents, the Croatian side just wanted passport. It was the Gola crossing at a ridiculously early time so they probably don't see many people to harass.

Rural Hungary

No, don't tell me that Fib, I'm already dreaming of a steady supply of prawns, salmon, cod, lobster, tuna and other tasty morsels....
Is the Gola crossing the one usually used by the trucks?

FenTiger

LOL

Rural Hungary

Does that mean it was me Have you been talking to folk

duztee

Actually I thought Fen was hinting at me driving around with undue haste!

Peter_in_Hungary

Update to this thread
I had my driving licence renewed today (reason expired medical) and asked if the licence could substitute for the ID card, I was told that it does for Hungarians, but not for me as I am a foreigner. This is despite the fact that I have an Hungarian ID card (coloured green rather than blue like real Hungarians) so I guess all of you will have to continue carrying your (dog-eared) UK passports if you want to avoid the occasional fund raising fines.

Sachina

Ten years is nothing ... I've been carrying mine with me for the past 30 years (which tells you how geriatic I am)!

When we first arrived in South Africa, decades ago, all our passports were stolen from the boot of the car and when I went to the British Consulate in Jo'burg to collect my new one I got hauled in front of the Consul and given a lecture about how Her Majesty wasn't amused with people who were negligent with their British Passports and how, if it happened again HM would have to consider whether I was a fit enough person to be given another one!

Until a couple of years ago I frequently got stopped at road blocks either locally or on the main road to Miskolc. I've never been fined or even cautioned and most of the time the police were more interested in practicing their English. The local patrol car knows me now because my little dog sits on the rear window ledge and I've been told I'm know as the English woman with the parrot in the back

scot47

Requirement for ID is a standard throughout Europe - as it was in Britain from 1940 to 1951. I still have my Uk National Registration Card !

Moral is when in Magyarorszag, do as the Magyars ! Have valid ID on you at all times !

klarika

Today I have spoken to the Traffic Police in Keszthely Police Station
asking if you need to carry your passport whilst driving. They said to me providing you have a Hungarian
Licence and you are a Legal Hungarian Resident with all the correct paperwork then definitely no you do not need to carry your passport with you. Just thought I would let people know to save carrying it with you

Rural Hungary

Problem is, most Brits have UK licenses.
Would be better if there was a uniform EU id card.

klarika

As I stated previously only of you have Hungarian Licence and are a legal resident with correct paper work you do not need to carry passport.
If you have UK licence then yes you still need to carry passport with you.