Driving in Hong Kong vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, distinct regulations and practices shape the driving experience. Key contrasts include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and differing lane usage for buses and cyclists. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each region.
Lanes
| Hong kong | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hong kong:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-140 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: 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
hong kong:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Hong kong | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Hong kong | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Hong kong | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| 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
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay