Driving in Bhutan vs. China: A Safety Comparison
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Bhutan and China as we delve into their distinct regulations and road practices. Key contrasts include driving on opposite sides—left in Bhutan and right in China—as well as varying speed limits and overtaking rules. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Bhutan | 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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 | 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. |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
china:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
china:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bhutan:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
bhutan:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
china:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
china:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
china:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
china:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
china:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
china:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
china:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
china:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
china:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Bhutan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Bhutan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | 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 vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
bhutan:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
china:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
china:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | 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
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common, especially near bars and clubs |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Severe fines, license suspension possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
china:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
china:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Lane Usage: Right
bhutan:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
china:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | 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 enforced | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay