Country requirements · Hong Kong
Do you need an International Driving Permit to drive in Hong Kong?
Short answer
Yes — non-resident drivers must carry an International Driving Permit to drive or rent a car in Hong Kong. Hong Kong drives on the left and recognises the IDP for short visits; tourists should carry one with their national licence. Hong Kong follows the 1968 Vienna standard, so your permit must be issued in that format. At rental desks operated by Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Avis and Sixt, a valid IDP is a standard counter requirement for foreign licences; arriving without one can mean a refused booking or a lost deposit. Hong Kong drives on the left and the minimum rental age is typically 18+, with a young-driver surcharge usually applied under 25. Carry your IDP together with your original national licence and passport at all times — the permit is a certified translation and never replaces your licence.
Sourced from the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna Conventions and rental-network policies
Hong Kong at a glance
IDP requiredYes, for non-EU / non-Latin licences
Accepted format1968 Vienna
Minimum age to rent18+ (surcharge under 25)
Drive on theLeft-hand side
Carry alongsideYour national licence + passport
CurrencyHKD
Top speed limit110 km/h on the North Lantau Highway
Emergency number999
Driving in Hong Kong
What the rules require
When do you need an IDP in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong drives on the left and recognises the IDP for short visits; tourists should carry one with their national licence. The permit is a recognised translation of your licence and is presented together with the original.
Does renting a car in Hong Kong require an IDP?
Self-drive rental is limited; an IDP is required where available. Having your permit ready avoids losing your reservation at the counter.
Driving rules in Hong Kong you should know
- Drive on the left.
- Seatbelts mandatory front and rear.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Tunnels and bridges carry tolls.
How long is an IDP valid in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention format, under which an IDP can be valid for up to 3 years — or until your national licence expires, whichever comes first. If you travel regularly, the validity clock starts on the issue date, not on first use — so order close to your departure to maximise usable time.
Documents checklist for driving in Hong Kong
- Your original national driving licence — the IDP is a translation and is never valid on its own.
- Your International Driving Permit, in the 1968 Vienna format Hong Kong recognises.
- Your passport or accepted national ID for police checks and rental pick-up.
- For rentals: the credit card used for the booking and your rental agreement (it covers the registration and insurance papers).
- Local currency or a card for road costs — Hong Kong uses the HKD.
Hong Kong · common questions
01
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Hong Kong?
Yes. Hong Kong requires foreign drivers to carry an International Driving Permit together with their national driving licence. Hong Kong drives on the left and recognises the IDP for short visits; tourists should carry one with their national licence.
02
Which IDP format does Hong Kong accept, and how long is it valid?
Hong Kong recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention format, under which an IDP can be valid for up to 3 years — or until your national licence expires, whichever comes first. Your document is prepared in exactly that convention booklet format.
03
Do I need an IDP to rent a car in Hong Kong?
Self-drive rental is limited; an IDP is required where available. The minimum rental age in Hong Kong is typically 18+, and most agencies apply a young-driver surcharge under 25. Bring your IDP, your original national licence, your passport and the credit card used for the booking.
04
Which side of the road does Hong Kong drive on?
Hong Kong drives on the left-hand side of the road. Drive on the left.
05
What is the drink-driving limit in Hong Kong?
0.05% alcohol limit. Penalties for exceeding the limit as a foreign driver can include on-the-spot fines, vehicle impoundment and invalidated rental insurance — if in doubt, don't drive after drinking.
06
What is the speed limit in Hong Kong?
The maximum for cars on the fastest road class in Hong Kong is 110 km/h on the North Lantau Highway. Limits drop in built-up areas and on secondary roads, and posted signs always take precedence — speed enforcement against foreign drivers commonly arrives as a fine charged through your rental company.
07
What is the emergency number in Hong Kong?
Dial 999 in Hong Kong. From any GSM mobile phone, 112 also connects to local emergency services in most countries even without a local SIM. After an accident, stay at the scene, secure it (use your warning triangle where required) and notify your rental company before any repairs.
08
What documents should I carry while driving in Hong Kong?
Carry your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit, your passport (or national ID where accepted), and the vehicle's registration and insurance papers (your rental agreement covers these for hire cars). The IDP is a translation of your licence and is never valid on its own.
09
Is an IDP the same as a driver's licence in Hong Kong?
No. An IDP is an official multilingual translation of your existing licence in the United Nations convention format — it does not grant driving privileges by itself and must always be presented together with your valid national licence. Note that some countries issue official government IDPs only through authorized bodies (in the US, AAA and AATA).
10
How long does it take to get an IDP for Hong Kong?
With International Driver Licence you receive your digital IDP by email in as fast as 8 minutes — a printable 16-page convention-format PDF booklet plus a QR-verifiable wallet card you can keep on your phone. That makes it practical even if you're already at the airport or the rental counter.
Driving from Hong Kong to neighbouring countries
Driving in Hong Kong on a foreign licence
100% money-back guarantee
Full refund if your permit is ever declined.
Unlimited replacements
Lost or damaged? Re-download or reprint, free.
24/7 support
Help before and during your trip, any hour.