Driving in Hong Kong vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter distinct rules and regulations that shape their experiences. Notable variations include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions. Understanding these contrasts is essential for travelers seeking to ensure their safety and compliance while driving abroad.
Lanes
| Hong kong | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid White Line
hong kong:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
hong kong:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hong kong:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
hong kong:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
hong kong:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
hong kong:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hong kong:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Hong kong | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
hong kong:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Hong kong | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
hong kong:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Hong kong | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
hong kong:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united kingdom:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
hong kong:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay