Driving in Afghanistan vs. China: Key Differences Explored
When navigating the roads of Afghanistan and China, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring safe travels. Key disparities include lane usage, speed limits, and documentation requirements. While Afghanistan often lacks certain road markings and specialized lanes, China boasts a structured system with specific rules for buses and high-occupancy vehicles. Explore these variations to drive confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Pedestrian crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane if possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
afghanistan:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
afghanistan:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
china:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
china:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
china:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
china:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
china:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
china:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Afghanistan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in China |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Chinese; symbols also used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangular shape with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Afghanistan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid Chinese driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
afghanistan:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
china:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially near bars and clubs |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Severe fines, license suspension possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
china:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Afghanistan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Lane Usage: Right
afghanistan:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
china:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
china:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
china:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay