Driving Differences: Bolivia vs. Hong Kong Explained
When exploring the roads of Bolivia and Hong Kong, it's essential to understand their distinct traffic regulations and driving customs. From varying speed limits to lane usage, these countries present unique challenges for motorists. Notably, Bolivia drives on the right, while Hong Kong adheres to the left, emphasizing the importance of being well-informed for a secure journey.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. |
Driving Side
bolivia:
Right
hong kong:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
bolivia:
Yes
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
hong kong:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | No; fines are usually sent by mail |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
hong kong:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
hong kong:
80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
hong kong:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
Signals
| Bolivia | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Used when lights are about to turn green |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | Chinese and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
hong kong:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Bolivia | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
hong kong:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Bolivia | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
hong kong:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common, checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
hong kong:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bolivia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Varies; usually contact through 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
hong kong:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | HK$2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | HK$900, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay