Driving in Hong Kong vs. Singapore: Key Differences
When it comes to road rules, Hong Kong and Singapore present intriguing contrasts. From lane usage and speed regulations to alcohol limits, each nation has unique guidelines that impact travel conditions. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during peak 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 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
singapore:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Hong kong | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Singapore |
| 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
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hong kong | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hong kong | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
Flashing Lights: Usage
hong kong:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
hong kong:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay