Britain is a lot more spread out than Hong Kong and a lot of people travel mostly by driving, especially outside of city centres. Driving is also likely to be the most flexible way you can research your move, view properties and so on.

We hope you enjoy driving in the UK. Take it easy and enjoy the sights – it’s a great way to see some beautiful countryside. And don’t forget that it’s when you are lost that you find the best things of all.

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Licensing ⦁ 駕駛執照

✅  The great thing is that Hong Kongers with a full valid driving licence can drive in the UK so there would be no problems for visits before you move. 

You can use a Hong Kong driving licence up to 12 months after becoming resident. After that you would need to exchange to a UK licence, which is a simple matter of completing a form and paying a small fee. More info here.

The rule book for UK driving is The Highway Code.

The roads ⦁ 英國道路

Both the UK and Hong Kong drive on the left and you will find the road system easy to adapt to. You will find most of the road signs familiar, but study the full set of UK road signs.

Distances are in miles, and speed limits are in miles per hour.

Motorways connect the UK cities and regions. If there is congestion reduced speed limits may be displayed over the motorway.

You will find roundabouts everywhere in the UK. They vary from very small to very large, but the principle is always the same: Look to your right and give way to traffic already on the roundabout. Indicate left as you exit. Some are controlled by traffic lights. Read the rules on roundabouts.

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Camera enforcement ⦁ 偵速攝影機

There are not many traffic police patrolling the roads in Britain. Instead they use cameras to catch drivers who commit offences like breaking the speed limit. They catch people all the time. The best thing is to drive carefully within the speed limit and you won’t have to worry about them at all.

There are warning signs when you enter a stretch of road with speed cameras, shown below alongside a typical speed camera.

Motorways have cameras above the road. Some also have series of cameras that measure your average speed over some distance.

Cameras are also used sometimes to enforce box junctions and parking.

The cars ⦁ 車輛

Cars are all right-hand-drive. In Hong Kong most cars are automatic, but in the UK the majority are manual.

✅  If you need an automatic be sure to specify when hiring!

At petrol stations regular fuel is from a green pump while diesel is from a black or blue pump. Hire cars will have a sticker to remind you which is the correct fuel.

Making a journey ⦁ 衛星導航及長途旅程

Satnav in the UK usually works using a postcode (the part of an address that looks like CT4 5GH) and a street number. 

Don’t be too trusting of the satnav. Study the route before you start so you know what to expect, including the parking situation on arrival. Beware that journeys between cities may take a long time! 

✅  On long journeys be sure to take breaks at rest stops where you can get food, coffee, use the toilet and stretch your legs. They usually have facilities for baby changing. 

Parking ⦁ 泊車情況

As in Hong Kong parking in UK cities can be difficult but it does get easier in less busy areas. 

In cities, the easiest thing is to use satnav to help you find large car parks. They usually charge only for the time you use and let you use bank cards to pay.

If you are parking in the street pay attention to yellow lines (parking at certain times only) and red lines (no stopping at all) and to small signs at the edge of the road. Here is a guide. Space in residential roads may be reserved for people who live there and hold the right permit.

‘Pay and display’ is a system that operates in small car parks and some streets. You first park your car, then pay at a machine for the time you need, usually with coins (yes, this is a terrible system!) The machine prints a ticket which you place on the car dashboard where it can be seen. Be sure to come back before the time runs out, or you may be fined! 

Be careful. Local councils in Britain make a lot of money from fines. Parking rules can vary from town to town and are not always obvious. Check the signs carefully and don’t make assumptions.

_{Images: David Dixon, Crown Copyright}