Driving Differences: China vs. Colombia Explained
When navigating the roads of China and Colombia, understanding the nuances of each nation's driving regulations is crucial for ensuring safe travel. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption rules. This comparison sheds light on essential traffic norms that can significantly impact your driving experience in these diverse countries.
Lanes
| China | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
colombia:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
colombia:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
colombia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
colombia:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
colombia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
colombia:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| China | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
colombia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
colombia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
colombia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
colombia:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| China | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Colombia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
colombia:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
colombia:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
colombia:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| China | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
colombia:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay