Driving in China vs. Costa Rica: A Safety Comparison
When comparing road regulations between China and Costa Rica, drivers encounter notable contrasts that can impact travel experiences. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safe navigation. This guide highlights essential distinctions, empowering travelers to drive confidently in both countries.
Lanes
| China | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Speed limits are generally static. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
costa rica:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
costa rica:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
costa rica:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
costa rica:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| China | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
china:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| China | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Costa Rica |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| China | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| China | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
costa rica:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
costa rica:
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
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
| 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
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
costa rica:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
costa rica:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
costa rica:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| 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
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay