Driving in Hong Kong vs Turkey: Key Safety Differences
Embarking on a journey from Hong Kong to Turkey? Understanding the distinct road regulations is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience. Key differences include driving on the left in Hong Kong versus the right in Turkey, speed limits, and unique signaling practices. Learn how to navigate these differences to ensure your travel is stress-free and secure.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
turkey:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
turkey:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Hong kong | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Hong kong | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Hong kong | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
hong kong:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
turkey:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges