Driving in China vs. Denmark: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between China and Denmark, two countries with distinct approaches to motoring. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and alcohol restrictions, this comparison highlights essential distinctions that can impact your travel experience and enhance your safety on the road. Discover what sets these nations apart!
Lanes
| China | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used temporarily in construction zones. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. |
| 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 bicycles and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. |
| 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 often green or red colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
denmark:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
denmark:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
denmark:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
denmark:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
denmark:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
denmark:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| China | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110-130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, for minor offenses. |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
denmark:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
denmark:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
denmark:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
denmark:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
denmark:
110-130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
denmark:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
Signals
| China | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Used before green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | Danish; 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
denmark:
Used before green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
denmark:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
denmark:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| China | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
denmark:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
china:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
Documentation
| China | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; no additional permits needed for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
denmark:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
denmark:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Less 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
denmark:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; carried out by the police |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
denmark:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
denmark:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
denmark:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
denmark:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking any exit other than first |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
china:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
denmark:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurer or patrol services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
denmark:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, use of hands-free required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Significant fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 14 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days