Driving in Brazil vs. Hong Kong: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Brazil and Hong Kong, distinct variations in traffic regulations and driving culture come to light. Notably, Brazil drives on the right while Hong Kong favors the left. Additionally, speed limits, lane usage, and penalties for infractions showcase significant contrasts, underscoring the importance of understanding these variations for a safe journey abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
brazil:
Right
hong kong:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brazil:
Use rightmost lane.
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
hong kong:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
hong kong:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | No; fines are usually sent by mail |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
hong kong:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
hong kong:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
hong kong:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
Signals
| Brazil | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Used when lights are about to turn green |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; 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
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Brazil | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Permitted unless prohibited by sign |
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Brazil | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
hong kong:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brazil | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
hong kong:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
hong kong:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
hong kong:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Brazil | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brazil:
Signal right when preparing to exit
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | Varies; usually contact through 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
hong kong:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 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 | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay