Driving in China vs. El Salvador: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of China and El Salvador, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can impact safety and efficiency. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol thresholds, understanding these contrasts is crucial for a secure journey abroad. Discover how these two countries vary in their approach to transportation and road etiquette.
Lanes
| China | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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.
el salvador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
el salvador:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
el salvador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
el salvador:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
el salvador:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
el salvador:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
el salvador:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
el salvador:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
el salvador:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
el salvador:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
el salvador:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 20-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 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 | 80-100 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 | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
el salvador:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
el salvador:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
china:
Yes
el salvador:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
el salvador:
Yes
Signals
| China | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not common in El Salvador |
| 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 | 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
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
el salvador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| China | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
el salvador:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
el salvador:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
el salvador:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Frequent use in some areas to communicate |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Yield and make way |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
el salvador:
Yield and make way
Alcohol
| China | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
el salvador:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
el salvador:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
el salvador:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
el salvador:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
el salvador:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
el salvador:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 120 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 121 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
el salvador:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
el salvador:
120
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
el salvador:
121
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
el salvador:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
el salvador:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; $20 to $100 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | $20 to $50 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | $30 to $100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | $50 to $200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes, frequently enforced |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
el salvador:
$20 to $50
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
el salvador:
$30 to $100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
el salvador:
$50 to $200
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay