Driving Differences: Hong Kong vs. South Africa
Explore the intriguing contrasts between driving regulations in Hong Kong and South Africa. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol enforcement and emergency services, this comparison reveals unique practices that impact road safety in each nation. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and informed journey abroad.
Lanes
| Hong kong | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hong kong:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually sent by mail | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
hong kong:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Hong kong | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Hong kong | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Hong kong | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | 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
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Hong kong | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
hong kong:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay