Driving in Hong Kong vs. New Zealand: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Hong Kong and New Zealand, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signaling. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring safe and confident navigation in these diverse driving environments.
Lanes
| Hong kong | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| 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 right. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
new zealand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Hong kong | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | 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
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
hong kong:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hong kong | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Hong kong | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
hong kong:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
hong kong:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
hong kong:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay