Driving in China vs. Estonia: Key Differences Uncovered
When navigating the roads of China and Estonia, drivers must grasp the distinct rules and customs that govern vehicular travel. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and documentation, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure experience abroad. Dive into our comprehensive comparison to enhance your driving confidence in either nation.
Lanes
| China | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
estonia:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
estonia:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
estonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
estonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
estonia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
estonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
estonia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
estonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
estonia:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
estonia:
Yes
Signals
| China | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Estonia |
| 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 | Estonian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
china:
Amber
estonia:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
estonia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited unless indicated 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
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required every year; proof must be carried |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
estonia:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
estonia:
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
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
estonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
estonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used |
| 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 |
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
estonia:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 112 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
estonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
estonia:
112
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
estonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; substantial fines apply |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
estonia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties