Driving in China vs. Cuba: Key Differences to Know
Embarking on a journey through China and Cuba reveals distinct contrasts in their road regulations and driving culture. From lane usage to speed limits, drivers will encounter unique rules that shape their experience. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in these fascinating countries.
Lanes
| China | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use the rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Rare |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. |
| 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. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
cuba:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
cuba:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
cuba:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
cuba:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
cuba:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
cuba:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
cuba:
Rare
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
cuba:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
cuba:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
cuba:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
cuba:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 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 |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-100 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 | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Common; enforced by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
cuba:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
cuba:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
cuba:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
cuba:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
cuba:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
cuba:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
cuba:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
cuba:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
cuba:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
china:
Yes
cuba:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
Signals
| China | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Cuba |
| 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 | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
cuba:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
cuba:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
cuba:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| China | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Varies by area, check for local signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
cuba:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
Documentation
| China | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
cuba:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
cuba:
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
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
cuba:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
cuba:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
cuba:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | More frequent use than in 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
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
cuba:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Less common; checkpoints used in some 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 |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
cuba:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
cuba:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
cuba:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
cuba:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
cuba:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 106 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 106 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Varies by provider; national lines may apply |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
cuba:
106
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
cuba:
106
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fine equivalent varies, local currency |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fine equivalent varies, local currency |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fine equivalent varies, local currency |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common; usually paid directly to officers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay