KRESZ

Overview

KRESZ is the Hungarian road traffic code, and in everyday use it is the name for the written driving theory exam. The exam is organised nationwide by the KAV Közlekedési Alkalmassági és Vizsgaközpont (KAV Transport Fitness and Examination Centre). The official pages are in Hungarian, and this page is based on them.

Categories differ in their theory requirements. This page describes the B category (cars), the most common one, and notes where other categories differ.

Who can apply

• You take the exam after completing the theory course at a driving school (autósiskola), either in a classroom or by e-learning. Exams cannot be taken from home. They are held only in KAV's approved exam rooms.

• You must have completed primary school and prove this on the day of your first exam at the latest. Until you do, you cannot be admitted to further exams.

• You need a medical fitness opinion, which the driving school attaches to your application.

• If you already hold a foreign licence, the document office (okmányiroda) issues a decision listing the exams you must take.

Exam pattern

For category B, the theory exam is one computer-based multiple-choice test. KAV's curriculum names the exam subject Közlekedési alapismeretek (basic traffic knowledge), and it covers the content of the three theory subjects of the course: traffic basics, theory of driving, and vehicle structure and operation.

Candidates can choose the exam language from the foreign-language exam material that KAV has available, whatever their nationality. A foreign national who does not speak Hungarian and has no material in an official language of their country can take the exam with an interpreter assigned by KAV.

Syllabus

The B course requires at least 28 hours of theory: basic traffic knowledge (14 hours minimum), theory of driving (6) and vehicle structure and operation (2), plus practical driving lessons. Other categories have their own curricula, which KAV publishes on its curricula page.

Marking and results

You must pass the theory exam within twelve months of the start of the course. If you do not, you can only be entered for the exam again after repeating the whole course. Hungarian law does not cap the number of KRESZ attempts within that period.

Fees

KAV's fee table, valid from 17 July 2026, lists these theory exam fees per subject:

The same table lists HUF 12,200 for the category B traffic driving (practical) exam.

How to apply

Driving schools book the first exam date online. For a resit, you book in person at a KAV customer service office after paying the fee by card or on a payment slip. Cash is not accepted at the offices.

If you cannot attend, tell KAV in person or in writing at least 8 days before the exam. If you miss an exam for reasons outside your control, you can apply in writing within 8 calendar days for a free resit.

After the exam

Once all required exams for your category are passed, KAV sends the electronic exam certificate to the traffic registry within one working day. The licence is then issued by the transport administration authority (government window or document office). For category B, the practical exam is a traffic driving exam lasting 60 minutes, of which you drive on public roads for 50 minutes.

FAQs