Driving in Hong Kong vs. Myanmar: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Hong Kong and Myanmar, drivers encounter distinct rules and practices that are vital for ensuring road safety. Key differences include driving on the left in Hong Kong versus the right in Myanmar, varying speed limits, and unique traffic signals. Understanding these contrasts is essential for a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
myanmar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
Yes
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 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
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
myanmar:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| Hong kong | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Myanmar |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Hong kong | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Hong kong | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Yes, periodic inspection required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
myanmar:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
myanmar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
hong kong:
Can result in license suspension
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
myanmar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| 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
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay