Does Hong Kong drive on the left or right side?
3 Answers
China's traffic regulations follow the right-hand traffic principle, meaning vehicles and pedestrians keep to the right side of the road, while Hong Kong drives on the left. The reasons are as follows: 1. Hong Kong's traffic rules were established during the British colonial period. 2. The United Kingdom follows left-hand traffic domestically, so the initial roads were built for left-hand driving. Relevant driving customs are as follows: 1. Right-hand traffic: Mostly typical continental countries, such as the United States, China, Russia, Germany, France, Brazil, etc. 2. Left-hand traffic: Mostly typical island nations, peninsulas, and subcontinental countries, such as the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
I'm quite an experienced driver here in Hong Kong. Since getting my driver's license, I've been accustomed to driving on the left side of the road, a tradition left over from the British colonial era with quite some history. The steering wheel is on the right, and vehicles drive on the left lane—everyone operates this way, including buses and taxis. So in daily driving, left turns have higher priority, while right turns require extra caution for pedestrian crossings. I recommend that beginners familiarize themselves more with road conditions, avoid lane cutting, and follow traffic rules to reduce accidents. Hong Kong streets are narrow, and left-side driving actually facilitates vehicle management and reduces congestion. Additionally, if you're coming from a right-hand driving place like Mainland China or the U.S., it's best to first practice the steering wheel position in a parking lot to ensure safety before hitting the road. It's not complicated once you get used to it.
Having been into cars for so many years, I can say that Hong Kong is a typical left-hand traffic region, with vehicles designed as right-hand drive, such as the steering wheel being on the passenger side's right, which offers better visibility control during turns. Similar to places like the UK and Japan, imported cars must be converted to this orientation, which is quite interesting. In Hong Kong's traffic rules, left-hand driving makes traffic more orderly—for instance, left turns at intersections are easier and help avoid collisions, enhancing safety. A reminder: when driving a right-hand drive car, the hand movements for braking or accelerating differ, so beginners might make mistakes—it's advisable to practice with a simulator first. Compared to mainland China's right-hand traffic, Hong Kong's traffic light designs prioritize left-hand flow, making the overall traffic smoother.
