Driving in Hong Kong
 

Can anyone confirm for me if it's a requirement to have an International Driver Permit to drive a car in Hong Kong?

What about renting a car? Will they require an IDP?

Only asking because I'd prefer not to have to go through the hassle of getting an IDP if I don't have to.

Thanks

This took me 2 seconds to find on Google :

Transport Department - Driving in Hong Kong for Overseas Driving Licence Holders

Driving in hk sucks major balls.. That is all

I have noticed that drivers in Hong Kong often use their turn signals the opposite of how they should. Like when they are merging left, they use the right signal.

The MAIN issue with drivers here though, is that almost nobody has any concern or even acknowledgement for other drivers on the road. "if I switch lanes now, will I be cutting off the person behind me?" never occurs in their minds.

And so on

The turning signal thing though... it's not like I see it once or twice.. it is VERY common, even among professional drivers like bus drivers. :fulloffuck:

Yes I found that page but it wasn't entirely clear to me. Also doesn't answer my question about rentals.

Just get one anyway, it's only $15.

I got pulled over for speeding in Hong Kong (even though I wasn't speeding) and gave them the permit instead of my license and he was like 'ummmmmm' and just let me go. He wouldn't answer how fast he got me for though (since I know I wasn't speeding, I wanted to know why they pulled me over)

Same thing happened in Japan (and I was speeding this time). International license is like a get out of jail free card, because they don't want to bother with it (and probably assume you won't pay the fee anyway) :D

It's $15 but you also have to provide two passport photos and apply in person. But you do make a good argument about it potentially coming in handy in way you describe...

^ What's so hard about applying in person and giving them two passports photos? Just do it.

Exactly :lol

All this hemming and hawing over a $15 license, you must be a nightmare to travel with ;)

i got pulled over like 5 times in turkey and i gave them the international license and they looked at it, looked back at me. Smiled and said welcome to turkey in a accent. Half of them dont even know how to read english

^ Then they said shit behind your back. :fuckthatshit:

Can't really compare driving here and driving in HK,

Heres what I've observed from my trip back in April:
- radio sucks in HK, it's almost all talk and they only talk BS. Buy some CD's or burn some for your own good
- Speed cameras, we don't have them here where everyone is driving at least 10 over, but it actually works with keeping people relatively close to the speed limit
- Solid lines, drivers in HK seem to know not to cross these, there are also a lot more than we're used to, had a few times where I was SOL to get into some lanes because of solid lines. :(
- Lots of freeways and lanes tend to be wider than they are in urban vancouver, (possibly because there is a lot more minibus/lorrie traffic?)
- Most malls offer free parking if you spend money and it's usually not even that big of an amount

Honestly outside of rush hour traffic driving in HK is not half bad, heck even in rush hour traffic just be alert and you're fine. it's definitely better than a lot of cities in asia

Driving in HK CAN be more fun IMO, but only outside of rush hour and crowded areas.

In Van, it's mostly driving in a straight line and turning 90 degrees left or right. The roads in HK are curvy and have more variety throughout the city. It just feels more fun and alive, but the traffic can be pretty damn bad.

Not sure why OP is asking about car rentals though. It seems like the only time people rent cars here are if they hire a driver as well or for use in weddings. Navigation is tough unless you really know the areas like the back of your hand.

And since the public transportation here is one of the best in the world IMO (and relatively cheap), driving is really not necessary for anyone other than residents. Hell, taxi-ing everywhere would probably be cheaper than driving too.

Yes, exactly.

I'm really only looking to rent for a day or two just to do some exploring and kill some time. Rest of the time, you'll find me waiting for the MTR :)

what hassel? i got mine in 5mins at BCAA. need it to scooter in tw.

Driving in new territories is awesome, kowloon and hk island not so much
Posted via RS Mobile

the rental is pretty $$ over there....Best if you have relatives there to lend you a car if you seriously really need to drive somehow.

That said, the taxi is really cheap.

To answer your question in short, no you do not require a IDP for driving in Hong Kong, you may use your Canadian driver license. However, with that being said you need to enter into HK with your Canadian Passport. And while driving you must have your passport+ license on you. (IF you are a HK resident, having the HKID with 3 stars and you enter into HK with it, than NO you may not drive in HK with just your regular Canadian license.)

With regards to applying for IDP (and you are a HK resident) I'm not 100% sure if they would allow you to drive in HK, since if you are resident you would fall under HK laws, so you would need to have a HK license. (if you are going for a long period of time say 3+ months or go back a lot, than just apply for it for $900HKD and they give you a license without being retested if you have a class 5 license here)

Thanks for the info. I'm canadian and will only be over there for a short time.