Driving in China vs. Hong Kong: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations and practices in China and Hong Kong. While both regions emphasize safety, significant contrasts arise in driving directions, speed limits, and lane usage. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure and smooth journey when navigating the diverse landscapes of these two vibrant destinations.
Lanes
| China | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
hong kong:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
hong kong:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
hong kong:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
hong kong:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
hong kong:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
hong kong:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
hong kong:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hong kong:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | 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 | 70-90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | No; fines are usually sent by mail |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
hong kong:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
hong kong:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
hong kong:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
hong kong:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
Signals
| China | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Used when lights are about to turn green |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Chinese and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| China | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Permitted unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
hong kong:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| China | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
hong kong:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
hong kong:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hong kong:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | 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
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common, checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
hong kong:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
hong kong:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
hong kong:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
hong kong:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Varies; usually contact through 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
hong kong:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | 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 | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay