Driving in Hong Kong vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Hong Kong and North Macedonia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that greatly influence their travel experience. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic light protocols, understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey. Discover the essential contrasts that set these two driving environments apart.
Lanes
| Hong kong | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
north macedonia:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
north macedonia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 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: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Hong kong | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| 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
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
hong kong:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
hong kong:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Hong kong | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hong kong | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
hong kong:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
north macedonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay