Guide to Driving in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a well-developed city with tolerable traffic system. But the roads of the central areas are not so comfortable to drive in, because Hong Kong is not a big city but it contains a huge amount of vehicles. The whole city roads are packed with lots of cars which cause major dilemma to the drivers, especially the foreigners who drive the rented cars. The Europeans who are habituated to drive in the jam-free native roads can get frustrated for the swarm of vehicles all over the city. Though a visitor can easily hire a car to visit around the city, the fuel cost is not comparatively so cheap in Hong Kong.

While driving a rented car in this territory, a driver must not be callous to the traffic system because the road-rules including the road signals would seem quite dissimilar from Europe’s. You might have to face harsh difficulties for any kind of offense on the road since the driving offenses are treated strictly here. So, try to be a decent driver in the foreign land. Every time you go for a drive, remember to have your driving license. It will be more sensitive to carry your passport all the time as you are an outsider. The road signs of Hong Kong are written both in Chinese and English. There are also the signs and road markings for showing the speed limits. The speed limits in Hong Kong are different on different roads depending on the amount of vehicles. There can be speed limitation to 30 Km/h in some residential areas. The texts of the route number are in black or blue on yellow screens and the text of exit numbers are in white on black screens.

You can avoid the herded city by taking the toll roads, though these roads are not so on hand since most of them are tunnels. If you are going to drive in Hong Kong, get ready to face lots of difficulties in parking the car and you also have to pay a lot if you get the chances to park it. These plights arise for the massiveness of the vehicles all over the city. You must be aware of the fact while travelling that the driving laws are different in mainland China and Hong Kong. You need to have a secondary Chinese plate to enter into the mainland.

Essential Driving Information

  • You are supposed to drive on the left in Hong Kong and Overtake on the right.
  • Seatbelts are mandatory for everyone in the front and rear.
  • Cellular phones are not allowed while driving.
  • If you are coming from minor roads, you are obliged to give way to traffic on main roads.
Speed Limits
Town/City: 50 Km/h
Main Road: 70-110 km/h
Emergency Phone Numbers
Police: 999
Ambulance: 999
Firefighters: 999
From a Mobile: 112
General Information (as of 2014)
Min Driving Age: 18
Alcohol Limit: 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
Petrol Price: €1.58/litre
Diesel Price: €1.20/litre
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