Czech Republic vs. Hong Kong: Driving Safety Comparisons
Embarking on a journey through the Czech Republic or Hong Kong? Understanding the unique regulations and road customs in each region is essential for a secure driving experience. From the distinct driving sides—right in the Czech Republic and left in Hong Kong—to varied speed limits and signaling practices, our comparison highlights key contrasts that every traveler should know.
Lanes
| Czech republic | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for marking no-parking zones. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary traffic situations. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only 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: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
czech republic:
Right
hong kong:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
hong kong:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
czech republic:
Yes
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
Overtaking: On Right
czech republic:
Only 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
czech republic:
Use rightmost lane.
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
czech republic:
N/A
hong kong:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
hong kong:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hong kong:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Czech republic | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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, commonly applied | No; fines are usually sent by mail |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
90 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
90 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
90 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
130 km/h
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
hong kong:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
hong kong:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
hong kong:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
Signals
| Czech republic | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used. | Used when lights are about to turn green |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Czech; symbols are standard. | Chinese and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border. | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
hong kong:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
czech republic:
Not used.
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
hong kong:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
hong kong:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
hong kong:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
hong kong:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
hong kong:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
hong kong:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
hong kong:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
hong kong:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Czech republic | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
hong kong:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
hong kong:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
Special Turn Lanes
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
hong kong:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
czech republic:
Prohibited.
hong kong:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Czech republic | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted without International Driving Permit. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended or required. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection mandatory. | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
hong kong:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
hong kong:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
hong kong:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
hong kong:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
hong kong:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Czech republic | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
hong kong:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
hong kong:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
hong kong:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
hong kong:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
hong kong:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
hong kong:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
hong kong:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Czech republic | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, often at checkpoints. | Common, checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial. | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
hong kong:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
hong kong:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
hong kong:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
hong kong:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
hong kong:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
hong kong:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Czech republic | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
hong kong:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
hong kong:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
hong kong:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
hong kong:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
hong kong:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Czech republic | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | Varies; usually contact through 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. | 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
czech republic:
112
hong kong:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
czech republic:
158
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Czech republic | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €50 or more. | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €50 or more. | HK$2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 or higher, points on license. | HK$900, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common, cash preferred. | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
czech republic:
€50 or more.
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Phone Use
czech republic:
€50 or more.
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
hong kong:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.
hong kong:
Possible if fines are not paid