Driving Differences: Hong Kong vs. Malaysia Explained
When comparing the road regulations of Hong Kong and Malaysia, it's clear that each nation has unique approaches to traffic management. From varying speed limits to distinct lane markings, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring safe travels. Explore the driving nuances that set these two countries apart and enhance your international journey.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hong kong:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually sent by mail | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
hong kong:
50 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
malaysia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| Hong kong | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Malaysia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Malay and English; 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
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hong kong | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hong kong | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Substantial fines |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay