Driving in Hong Kong vs. Taiwan: Key Differences to Know
When traversing the roads of Hong Kong and Taiwan, understanding their unique regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Notably, drivers in Hong Kong navigate on the left, while their counterparts in Taiwan adhere to the right. Additionally, speed limits and overtaking rules vary significantly, emphasizing the importance of adapting to local driving customs.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
taiwan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
hong kong:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Hong kong | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Mandarin; 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
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hong kong | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Hong kong | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or 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
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
| 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
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
hong kong:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
taiwan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| 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
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay