Driving in Hong Kong vs. Romania: Key Differences Explained
Driving in Hong Kong and Romania presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Key differences include driving sides, speed limits, and emergency protocols. While Hong Kong drives on the left and enforces a 0.05% alcohol limit, Romania mandates stricter rules, such as a 0.00% limit for new drivers. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for a safe journey.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
romania:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
romania:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 30 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually sent by mail | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
romania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Hong kong | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Hong kong | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Hong kong | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| 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 | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
romania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
romania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
hong kong:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist