Driving Differences: Hong Kong vs Poland Explained
Explore the unique driving landscapes of Hong Kong and Poland, where road rules and regulations diverge significantly. From the side of the road you drive on to speed limits and signaling practices, this comparison will unveil essential distinctions that contribute to road safety and enhance your driving experience abroad. Stay informed and drive wisely!
Lanes
| Hong kong | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| 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
poland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hong kong:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
poland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
poland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
poland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 90 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 | 140 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
poland:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
poland:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
poland:
140 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
| Hong kong | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Signals a change to green is imminent. |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Polish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
hong kong:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
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
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
hong kong:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
hong kong:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
hong kong:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
hong kong:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
hong kong:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
hong kong:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
hong kong:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
hong kong:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
hong kong:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
| Hong kong | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Varies by location; check for signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
hong kong:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
hong kong:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
hong kong:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Hong kong | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory every year. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
hong kong:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
hong kong:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
hong kong:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
hong kong:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
hong kong:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
hong kong:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
hong kong:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
hong kong:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
hong kong:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used frequently. |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Varies; can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
poland:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
poland:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
poland:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
hong kong:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
hong kong:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
hong kong:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
hong kong:
Can result in license suspension
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
hong kong:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
hong kong:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
hong kong:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
hong kong:
Use for first exit or straight
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
hong kong:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 997 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | 981 or through your insurance provider. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
poland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Mandatory, fines apply. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Fines and license points apply. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
hong kong:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
hong kong:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.