Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. China: Key Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison delves into the distinct rules between Bosnia and Herzegovina and China, revealing variations in lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol regulations. By exploring these contrasts, travelers can navigate confidently and ensure their well-being on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | 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 in one-way streets 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | 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, sometimes 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
bosnia and herzegovina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bosnia and herzegovina:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bosnia and herzegovina:
Use rightmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Exclusive for bicycles.
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 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, frequently used | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
bosnia and herzegovina:
50 km/h
china:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
china:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
china:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
100 km/h
china:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
china:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in China |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; 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
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
china:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | 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 may be required | International Driving Permit required for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bosnia and herzegovina:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially near bars and clubs |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Severe fines, license suspension possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
china:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Bosnia and herzegovina | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Lane Usage: Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bosnia and herzegovina:
112
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
china:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay