Driving in Albania vs. China: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Albania and China, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their journey. Key contrasts include lane usage, speed limits, and road etiquette. Understanding these variances is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable travel experience in both countries. Explore the unique aspects of driving in Albania and China to enhance your road safety abroad.
Lanes
| Albania | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | 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: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | 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
albania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
albania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
albania:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
albania:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
albania:
Use rightmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
china:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
albania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
albania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Albania | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 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 paid at the scene. | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
china:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
china:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
china:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
china:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
china:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Albania | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | 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 | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Chinese; symbols also used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular shape with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
albania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Albania | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Albania | 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 | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
albania:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Albania | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less 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 |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
china:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
albania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
albania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Albania | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common, especially near bars and clubs |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Severe fines, license suspension possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
china:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
albania:
Can result in license suspension
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Albania | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Lane Usage: Right
albania:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
| Albania | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
albania:
112
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
china:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks