Driving Differences: China vs. Czech Republic Explained
Welcome to our insightful comparison of road regulations between China and the Czech Republic. Discover essential distinctions in lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals that significantly impact vehicular navigation and safety. Understanding these variations will equip you with the knowledge needed for a secure and confident driving experience while abroad.
Lanes
| China | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Only 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 specific 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 | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
czech republic:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
czech republic:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
czech republic:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
czech republic:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
czech republic:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
czech republic:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
czech republic:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
czech republic:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
czech republic:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
czech republic:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| China | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
china:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
czech republic:
Not used.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
china:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
china:
Fines may apply for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
china:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
china:
Not to be used to signal other messages
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
china:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
china:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
china:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| China | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
china:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
china:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
china:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
china:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| China | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
china:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| China | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
china:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
china:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
china:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
china:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
china:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
china:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
china:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| China | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
czech republic:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
china:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
china:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
china:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| China | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
china:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
china:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
china:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
china:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| China | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
czech republic:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| China | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
china:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
china:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.