Driving in Hong Kong vs. Monaco: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road rules of Hong Kong and Monaco, notable contrasts emerge. Drivers in Hong Kong navigate on the left, while those in Monaco adhere to right-side traffic. Speed limits, lane usage, and signage further distinguish these regions, underscoring the importance of understanding local regulations for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Allowed if traffic conditions permit. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly on main roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Predominantly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled ‘BUS’. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with small vehicles or buses. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Standard speed limits apply |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
monaco:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hong kong:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
monaco:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
monaco:
Allowed if traffic conditions permit.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
monaco:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
Yes
monaco:
Limited, mostly on main roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
monaco:
Predominantly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
monaco:
Labeled ‘BUS’.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
Yes
monaco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
monaco:
Shared with small vehicles or buses.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
monaco:
Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Standard speed limits apply |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually sent by mail | Common for traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
monaco:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
monaco:
Common for traffic violations
Signals
| Hong kong | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Used when lights are about to turn green | Rare in Monaco, usually not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
hong kong:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
monaco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
monaco:
Rare in Monaco, usually not used
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
monaco:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
monaco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Hong kong | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Permitted where indicated; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
monaco:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
monaco:
Permitted where indicated; check for signs
Documentation
| Hong kong | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Required annually; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
monaco:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
monaco:
Required annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
monaco:
Displayed on the vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
monaco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
monaco:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Can be substantial; varies by severity |
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
monaco:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
monaco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
monaco:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
monaco:
Can be substantial; varies by severity
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
monaco:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 or 18 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | Local police also available on 911 using GSM |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Available through service providers or insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
monaco:
112 or 18
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
monaco:
Local police also available on 911 using GSM
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
monaco:
Available through service providers or insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
monaco:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
monaco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Fine applies if not used |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Substantial fines issued |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | High fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; varies |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be settled soon |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
monaco:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
monaco:
Fine applies if not used
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
monaco:
Substantial fines issued
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
monaco:
High fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
monaco:
Possible; varies
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
monaco:
Varies; typically must be settled soon