Driving in the Bahamas vs. China: Key Differences Revealed
Discover the unique driving landscapes of the Bahamas and China in this detailed comparison. While the Bahamas follows left-hand traffic with a relaxed approach to speed limits, China embraces right-hand driving with strict enforcement of road regulations. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bahamas | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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 | Not allowed. | 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 leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane if possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | 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. |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
china:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahamas:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
bahamas:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
china:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
china:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | 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 | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
china:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
china:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
china:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
china:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
china:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
china:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
china:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Bahamas | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | 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 | English; symbols are standard | Chinese; symbols also used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahamas:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Bahamas | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | 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 | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
bahamas:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
china:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
china:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | China | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially near bars and clubs |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; 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
bahamas:
0.08%
china:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
china:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
bahamas:
Can result in license suspension
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
bahamas:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
china:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; 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
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
china:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay