Driving in Hong Kong vs. Japan: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Hong Kong and Japan, understanding their distinct regulations and practices is crucial for a secure journey. While both locales share similarities, key disparities emerge, such as speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures safe travels and enhances your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
japan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually sent by mail | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
hong kong:
50 km/h
japan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
japan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Hong kong | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Japan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
japan:
Not used in Japan
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hong kong | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Hong kong | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
japan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally used sparingly |
Flashing Lights: Usage
hong kong:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
japan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days