Driving Differences: Bolivia vs. China Revealed
When navigating the roads of Bolivia and China, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key differences include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance levels. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and compliant journey in each unique driving environment.
Lanes
| Bolivia | 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
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bolivia:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
bolivia:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
china:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
china:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
china:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
china:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
china:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
china:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Bolivia | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in China |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | Chinese; symbols also used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular shape with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
china:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Bolivia | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | 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 with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
bolivia:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
china:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Alcohol
| Bolivia | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | 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
bolivia:
0.05%
china:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Lane Usage: Right
bolivia:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
china:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
china:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay