Driving in Hong Kong vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences Revealed
Discover the contrasting road regulations and driving customs of Hong Kong and Sri Lanka in our comprehensive comparison. While both regions emphasize traffic safety, notable distinctions arise in lane usage, speed limits, and documentation requirements. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure journey in unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually sent by mail | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Hong kong | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
hong kong:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Hong kong | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hong kong | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| 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, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay