Self-driving holidays in the GBA are now easier than ever for car owners in Hong Kong. There are a few hoops to jump through before putting the pedal to the metal, yet it's totally worth making the effort.
Before, cars from Hong Kong needed a dual license plate to drive on the mainland. Now, HK car owners can drive over the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge and all over the Greater Bay Area on HK plates.
[More information can be found at the HKSAR's transport website here.]
Any Hong Kong car owner wanting to drive in the Greater Bay Area using this method needs a bridge permit, a China driving licence, China car insurance, an MOT-like certificate from a designated vendor, and a China visa (not APEC card). The entire process is straightforward and takes around 6-8 weeks to complete.
The beauty of being an HK car owner is that despite China not recognizing any foreign (and international) driving license, a Hong Kong driving license is accepted. This means HK car license holders only have to pass the eye test and multiple choice test and not take a practical test.
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Here are a few points to note about driving in China for first timers:
1. Traffic Rules and Enforcement
Turning right on red on normal roads is an accepted practice unless there is a road sign showing otherwise. Common to find the far left lane is for left turn or U-turns only at traffic lights. Speed limits on motorways are typically 120 km/h and the speed is governed by the road sign, not whichever app you're using. Speed cameras are common. At toll booths, HK cars have to use the far right lane.
2. Driving Habits and Customs
The most common driving and pedestrian custom I come across is the one I term, "Straight Out". This means cars / bikes turning onto the my lane without slowing down, yielding or stopping to let you pass. This goes for pedestrians as well. Driving in China is just like driving in any other country and requires the same level of alertness.
3. Vehicle and Road Infrastructure
Having only driven in Guangdong Province, I can tell you there is an extensive network of beautiful and quality motorways punctuated with modern tunnels and bridges. There are service areas along the way for petrol, snacks and toilets. Road signs are often in Chinese and English. When turning onto a ramp, sometimes the road splits into two and the signage is for the road number rather than direction only.
4. Driving Tests and Regulations
Getting a driving license in China includes rigorous tests, such as medical examinations and practical driving tests. Unless you have a Hong Kong driving license, in which case it's simpler. A huge advantage for HK drivers actually.
About Ivan Theodoulou
Ivan Theodoulou is founder of Eight PR, a PR agency in Hong Kong that specializes in tech, law, and corporate PR. He first visited China in 1987 by train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou and has since traveled extensively on the mainland and in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Ivan passed his China driving test in March 2024 and now drives regularly in the GBA.
Places visited in China (by car, plane, train, high speed train, ferry, coach, bus) include: Beijing, Beijou, Chengdu, Dali, Daya Bay, Dongguan, Foshan, Ganzhou, Gaoming, Guangzhou, Hainan, Hailing Island, Heishan, Huizhou, Junan, Kunming, Lijang, Longjiang, Nanhai, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Shilin Yi, Shunde, Wuzhou, Xiamen, Yingde, Yinghe, Zhuhai, Zhaoqing.