Azerbaijan vs China: Key Driving Differences Explained
Azerbaijan and China showcase distinct driving norms that are crucial for travelers to understand. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and alcohol regulations, these variations highlight the importance of adapting to local road rules for safe navigation. Discover how these two countries diverge in their approach to vehicular safety and etiquette.
Lanes
| Azerbaijan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center on undivided 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 | In some cases, such as if 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: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles. | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs. | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes. | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Often designated for buses and public transport. | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Marks the center on undivided roads.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
azerbaijan:
In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
azerbaijan:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
azerbaijan:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
azerbaijan:
Use rightmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles.
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs.
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
china:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes.
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
N/A
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
azerbaijan:
Often designated for buses and public transport.
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Azerbaijan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common practice; fines can also be mailed. | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
azerbaijan:
20 km/h
china:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
china:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
china:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
china:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
china:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
azerbaijan:
Common practice; fines can also be mailed.
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Azerbaijan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Azerbaijan | 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 | Azerbaijani; symbols are standard | Chinese; symbols also used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular shape with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
azerbaijan:
Not used in Azerbaijan
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
azerbaijan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Traffic Signs: Language
azerbaijan:
Azerbaijani; symbols are standard
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
azerbaijan:
Triangle-shaped with red border
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Azerbaijan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown | 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
azerbaijan:
Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
azerbaijan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Azerbaijan | 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 short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual technical inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided upon successful inspection | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
azerbaijan:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
azerbaijan:
Annual technical inspection required
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
azerbaijan:
Provided upon successful inspection
china:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Azerbaijan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate 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
azerbaijan:
Moderate use compared to some countries
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
azerbaijan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Azerbaijan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional; fines and penalties apply | Common, especially near bars and clubs |
| Enforcement: Fines | 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
azerbaijan:
0.03%
china:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
azerbaijan:
Occasional; fines and penalties apply
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
azerbaijan:
Can be substantial
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
azerbaijan:
Can result in license suspension
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Azerbaijan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Lane Usage: Right
azerbaijan:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
| Azerbaijan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 102 | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or local service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
azerbaijan:
112
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
azerbaijan:
102
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
azerbaijan:
Call your insurance provider or local service
china:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Azerbaijan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Significant fines | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Significant fines, possible license points | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
azerbaijan:
Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
azerbaijan:
Significant fines
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, possible license points
china:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, points on license
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
azerbaijan:
Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
azerbaijan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay