[Car Knowledge] How many points are deducted for each level of speeding penalty system?
🚗💨 Editor's note: One second faster, multiple losses
Some drivers think that “it’s okay if it’s just a small amount” and “the police won’t care if the speed is under 10 kilometers”, but they are actually wrong!
Hong Kong's speeding penalty system has clear grading. Depending on how much you exceed the legal speed limit , the fine and points deducted will be different, and the faster you go, the heavier the penalty.
1️⃣ Legal basis
According to the Road Traffic Regulations ( Chapter 374A ) and the Driving-Offence Points System, if a driver exceeds the speed limit on a road section -
For example, if the speed limit is 50 kilometers, and you drive at 65 kilometers, you are speeding by 15 kilometers, which is a violation.
Key takeaways:
- The legal speed limit is not based on traffic flow but on road signs .
- Some roads have mobile radars and cameras that will automatically catch speeding
- Even if the speed limit is not significant, there will be a penalty. There is no official "tolerance zone" (although the instrument has a technical error range, it does not mean that it can be abused).
2️⃣ Hong Kong Speeding Penalty Table (2025 Edition)
| Exceeding the speed limit (exceeding the speed limit) | Fixed Penalty (HKD) | Points deduction |
|---|---|---|
| 10 km or less | $320 | 3 points |
| 11 – 15 km | $450 | 3 points |
| 16-20 km | $600 | 3 points |
| 21 – 30 km | $1,200 | 5 points |
| 31 – 45 km | $2,000 | 8 points |
| 46 km or more | $4,000 | 10 points + possible prosecution in court |
📌P.S .
- If it is a bus, van, or dangerous goods transport vehicle, the prosecution and penalty are the same, but the enforcement is stricter.
- If the speeding is serious (e.g. 46 km/h or above), the Superintendent may recommend arrest and sentencing (e.g. license revocation, imprisonment)
3️⃣ Editor's "real" scene substitution
-
Example 1
If you drive 82 km/h in a 70 km/h zone, you’re 12 km/h over the speed limit and will be fined $450 and have 3 points deducted. -
Example 2
If you drive 78 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, you’re 28 km/h over the speed limit and will be fined $1,200 and have 5 demerit points. -
Example 3 (serious)
Driving 130 km/h in an 80 km/h zone is 50 km/h over the speed limit. You will be fined $4,000, have 10 points deducted, and may face a court appearance and have your license suspended.
4️⃣ Why are there such graded penalties?
The editor has searched the Transport Department data:
- Speeding by 20 kilometers, the impact force during the collision is nearly 1 times the speed limit
- The higher the speed limit, the less time the driver has to react and the longer the braking distance will be.
- Hong Kong has many bends and intersections, plus there are so many people and cars, there is no turning back when an accident happens on the highway.
This graded penalty system is to make it clear to drivers that the degree of danger varies greatly depending on the speed limit, so the penalties are increasing.
5️⃣ Common Misconceptions⚠️
-
"It's only 5 kilometers faster, don't count it."
🚫 Wrong! In theory, speeding even 1 kph is considered speeding. The police will determine the speed based on their enforcement strategy and margin of error, but that doesn't mean you're safe. -
"It's okay to drive faster at night if there are no cars."
🚫 Wrong! Reaction times are slower and visibility is worse at night, yet police still catch criminals. -
"When the weather is good and the car is in good condition, just drive safely and fast."
🚫 Wrong! All speed limits are based on the speed limit. We will not be lenient just because you think it's safe.
6️⃣ Editor's Tips for Avoiding Trouble
- Read the speed limit signs carefully : Don’t assume that the speed limit is the same all the time along the road. There are some sections where the speed is reduced (tunnels, bridges, exits).
- Use the vehicle speed reminder function : Many cars have a beep sound reminder. Set it to 5 kilometers lower than the speed limit to remind yourself.
- Learn to slow down and be patient : arriving one minute faster does not mean you have made a profit, and the points deducted and fines will not be worth it.
- Be especially careful when going downhill : you may accelerate naturally even without pressing the accelerator, so you should brake at the right time or use low-speed control.
❤️ Summary
📌 Hong Kong's speeding penalty system is divided into 6 levels . The more you exceed the speed limit, the higher the fine and the more points you'll be penalized. 📌 The most serious offense can result in 10 points immediately, court appearances, and even a license suspension. 📌 Don't believe the myth that "slightly exceeding the speed limit is fine." The police can stop you at any time. 📌 Arriving safely starts with arriving successfully.
