Driving in Bhutan vs. Hong Kong: Key Safety Differences
As you prepare to navigate the roads of Bhutan or Hong Kong, understanding the driving contrasts is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed regulations, and alcohol limits. While Bhutan permits overtaking on the right, Hong Kong prohibits left-side overtaking, emphasizing the need for awareness of local traffic norms.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. |
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
hong kong:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
hong kong:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | No; fines are usually sent by mail |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
hong kong:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
hong kong:
80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
hong kong:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
Signals
| Bhutan | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Used when lights are about to turn green |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Chinese and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Bhutan | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by sign |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Bhutan | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
hong kong:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common, checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
hong kong:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
hong kong:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Varies; usually contact through 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
hong kong:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | HK$2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | HK$900, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay