Driving in Hong Kong vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
When traversing the roads of Hong Kong and the Netherlands, drivers encounter unique regulations and practices that significantly impact their journey. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and emergency protocols, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance while navigating abroad. Get ready to explore the driving landscape of these two fascinating regions!
Lanes
| Hong kong | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| 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: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
netherlands:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hong kong:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
netherlands:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Hong kong | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Dutch; 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
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hong kong | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Hong kong | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
hong kong:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required