Driving in Hong Kong vs Lebanon: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Hong Kong and Lebanon, drivers will encounter significant variations in rules and regulations. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and documentation requirements, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe and smooth journey abroad. Discover how to adapt your driving habits for each unique environment.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | N/A |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
lebanon:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hong kong:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
lebanon:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually sent by mail | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
hong kong:
50 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| Hong kong | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Lebanon |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
hong kong:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Hong kong | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Hong kong | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| 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
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Substantial for violations |
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
hong kong:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
lebanon:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days