Driving Differences: Hong Kong vs. Slovakia Explained
When navigating the roads of Hong Kong and Slovakia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact their journey. From varying speed limits and lane usage to stringent alcohol laws, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure driving experience. Prepare to explore the essential driving nuances between these two fascinating destinations.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 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. |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
slovakia:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
slovakia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
slovakia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
slovakia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
slovakia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 90 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: 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Hong kong | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Slovakia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Hong kong | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Hong kong | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| 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: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
slovakia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| 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 | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
slovakia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
slovakia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay