[Car Tips] Common Driving Etiquette in Hong Kong and International Differences

🚗 Editor's honest opinion: Hong Kong driving etiquette is a mixture of law and custom.

Hong Kong's traffic rules, established during the British colonial era, continue to maintain a left-hand traffic system. Safety regulations and etiquette are largely British, but they're also blended with the locals' fast-paced lifestyle. The result: Hong Kong drivers are both law-abiding and driven at a hectic pace, reminiscent of Hell's Kitchen.

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🛑 Common driving etiquette in Hong Kong (Local Observation Edition)

1️⃣ Yield to the bus at the exit

• Regulations: The Road Traffic Ordinance requires buses to leave bus stops when it is safe to do so .
• Habit: Most drivers will slow down to let the bus pass, but some will speed up to overtake the bus during rush hour.
• Editor’s experience: On Nathan Road in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, if you don’t give way to a bus, some drivers will even flash their lights and use half of their car body to push you to make way.

2️⃣ Let pedestrians cross the zebra crossing

• Regulation: Drivers must stop and allow pedestrians to fully step onto the side of the sidewalk before driving.
• Habits: Most drivers follow the rules, but some will start slowly when others are halfway through (which would be considered too hasty from an international perspective).

3️⃣ One car per vehicle rule at the merge

• When merging onto a highway, Hong Kong drivers generally know to merge one car at a time , otherwise it will be considered rude.
• When I was driving in and out of Qingsha Highway, I found that most people followed this unspoken rule, but a few would force their way in.

4️⃣ Lighting prompt

• It is customary to use short flashes of high beam (during the day) to remind the vehicle in front to give way or to draw attention.
• When passing narrow bends or country roads at night, the car will flash briefly as a "go ahead" warning.

5️⃣ Car door etiquette

• There are many bicycles and motorcycles in Hong Kong's urban areas, so people usually look behind them quickly before opening the door;
• Good drivers will use the "Dutch maneuver" (opening the door with the outside hand) and naturally look back to reduce accidents.

6️⃣ Horn-honking habits

• In Hong Kong, honking is rarely used, mostly for brief warnings (e.g. pedestrians on blind bends, or the vehicle ahead is slow to start);
• Prolonged honking can be considered impolite or provocative.

7️⃣ Parking courtesy

• When meeting on a narrow road, the vehicle closer to the escape bay will first stop and signal to allow the other vehicle to pass;
• It often appears on rural mountain roads, such as Tai Mo Shan Road and Tong Fuk Road.

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🌏 International Comparison (Editor's Notes)

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⚠️ Common cultural differences pitfalls for Hong Kong drivers when driving internationally

1. Horn sensitivity : In Hong Kong, drivers consider a short horn sound as a courtesy, but in Japan, almost any honking is considered displeased.
2. Distance habits : On Hong Kong highways, it is customary to follow vehicles at a close distance, which would be considered aggressive behavior on German highways.
3. Starting too early at the zebra crossing : In Japan or the UK, you must wait until the pedestrians have completely left the zebra crossing before starting, otherwise it will be considered a violation.
4. Plugging speed : Hong Kong has a fast pace of plugging in, while the UK has a slow and steady pace; in some states in the United States, vehicles may even have to stop completely before merging.
5. Interaction on public transport : Hong Kong drivers try to give way to buses, but not as strictly as in Japan or parts of Europe.

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📍 My personal experience and observation

• Courtesy at bus stops : After I gave way to a bus on Kwun Tong Road, the bus driver flashed his lights (double yellow) to express his gratitude. This was a heartwarming moment for Hong Kong drivers.
• Give way to each other on narrow roads : When passing each other in Tai Mo Shan in the morning, everyone will raise their hands or flash their lights to say "thank you".
• Merging on the highway : When merging onto Qingsha Highway, I occasionally encounter drivers who don't follow traffic rules. Once, they almost forced me onto the shoulder.
• Differences in zebra crossings : When I rented a car in the UK, I found that even if the pedestrian was still a few steps away, the driver would stop and wait. Their mentality was more patient than in Hong Kong.

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💡 Editor's Tip: For smoother international driving, be prepared to be aggressive

1. Observe how local drivers interact and follow local etiquette to avoid causing offense.
2. Learn to use lights instead of whistle sounds , especially when going to areas where whistles are sensitive (Japan, the UK).
3. Plan exits and merging in advance , and be more familiar with mirror thinking, especially when driving in left-hand drive countries.
4. Keep a large distance between vehicles. In many countries, police will impose heavy penalties for following too closely.
5. Simple gestures like raising your hand or nodding your head in appreciation can reduce hostility on the road.

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✅ Summarize the editor's four-word tips

Hong Kong driving etiquette can be summarized as "courtesy, yielding, speed, and observation" :

• Etiquette : Treat others with courtesy, give way to public transportation and pedestrians, and return courtesy with lights/hand gestures.
• Yield : Yield to merging vehicles, buses, and oncoming vehicles on narrow roads when it is safe to do so.
• Fast : The local pace is fast, and entry and exit to the junction are smooth and efficient.
• Observe : Keep your eyes open and observe other people’s habits and reactions.