Driving Differences: Canada vs. China Explained
Embarking on a journey through Canada or China? Understanding the distinct road regulations and safety protocols in each country is essential for a smooth experience. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations. Get ready to navigate these unique driving environments with confidence and awareness for a safer trip abroad.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in canada is the Right Side of the road
86
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in canada is 86
1.252 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for canada is 1.252 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| Canada | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe. | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front 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; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists. | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS' | 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 often green paint. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
canada:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
canada:
May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
canada:
Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
canada:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
canada:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
canada:
Use rightmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Usage
canada:
Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists.
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
canada:
May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS'
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
canada:
Exclusive for bicycles.
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
canada:
Bicycle symbols and often green paint.
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
canada:
Minimum two occupants
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
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| Canada | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h | |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h | |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90-100 km/h | |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h | |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but varies by province | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
canada:
40-50 km/h
china:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
canada:
40 km/h
china:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
80-100 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
canada:
80-100 km/h
china:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
80-100 km/h
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
canada:
100-120 km/h
china:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
90-110 km/h
china:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
canada:
Yes, but varies by province
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
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| Canada | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Canada | 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 | Bilingual (English and French in some areas); 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
canada:
Not used in Canada
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
canada:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Traffic Signs: Language
canada:
Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
canada:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
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| Canada | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by province and locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
canada:
Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign.
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
canada:
Varies by province and locality; check for signs
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
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| Canada | 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 | |
| Insurance | Mandatory liability insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces | 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
canada:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Insurance
canada:
Mandatory liability insurance
china:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
canada:
Varies by province; proof may be required
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
canada:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces
china:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
china:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
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| Canada | 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
canada:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
canada:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Embarking on a journey through Canada or China? Understanding the distinct road regulations and safety protocols in each country is essential for a smooth experience. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations. Get ready to navigate these unique driving environments with confidence and awareness for a safer trip abroad.
Alcohol
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| Canada | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% | |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% | |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%, zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common, especially near bars and clubs | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by province; 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
canada:
0.08%
china:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
canada:
0.04%
china:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
canada:
0.00%, zero tolerance
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
canada:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
canada:
Varies by province; can be substantial
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
canada:
Can result in license suspension
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
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| Canada | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Lane Usage: Right
canada:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
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| Canada | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 110 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Depends on province; often 911 | Same as general emergency; 110 | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or CAA | 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
canada:
911
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
canada:
Depends on province; often 911
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
canada:
Check with your insurance provider or CAA
china:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
china:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
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| Canada | China | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; often upwards of $200 | ¥50 to ¥200 | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license | Fines and points on license | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license | Fines and points on license | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually 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
canada:
Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
canada:
Varies; often upwards of $200
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
canada:
Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license
china:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
canada:
Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
canada:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
canada:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay