Driving in Greece vs. Hong Kong: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Greece and Hong Kong, understanding their distinct driving regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key contrasts include the driving side—right in Greece and left in Hong Kong—as well as varying speed limits and traffic sign protocols. This guide will equip you with crucial insights for a safe driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Greece | 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: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
greece:
Right
hong kong:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
greece:
Yes
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
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
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
hong kong:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
hong kong:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | No; fines are usually sent by mail |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
hong kong:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
hong kong:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
Signals
| Greece | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Used when lights are about to turn green |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Chinese and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Greece | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by sign |
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Greece | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | 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 | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
hong kong:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Greece | 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
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common, checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
hong kong:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
hong kong:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Greece | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Greece | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Varies; usually contact through 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | 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
greece:
112
hong kong:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | HK$2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | HK$900, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay