Driving in Chile vs. China: Key Differences Explained
Driving in Chile and China presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals, which greatly impact road safety. While Chile emphasizes a more relaxed approach to overtaking, China enforces stricter rules and electronic speed limit displays. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Chile | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked 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 and 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
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
chile:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
chile:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
chile:
No
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 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 | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
china:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
china:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
china:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
china:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
china:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
china:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Chile | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in China |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Chinese; symbols also used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangular shape with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Chile | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Chile | 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 | Required annually | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
chile:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Chile | 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
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially near bars and clubs |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Severe fines, license suspension possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
china:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
chile:
Can result in license suspension
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Chile | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
china:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
chile:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
| Chile | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
china:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
china:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay