Driving in China vs. France: Key Safety Differences
As you prepare to navigate the roads of China or France, understanding their distinct regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, overtaking rules, and lane usage. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your driving experience abroad, ensuring both compliance and security on foreign streets.
Lanes
| China | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| 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, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS'; 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.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
france:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
france:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
france:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
france:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
france:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
france:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
france:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
france:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| China | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in France |
| 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 especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | French; 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
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| China | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
france:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| China | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used regularly |
| 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%
france:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
france:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
france:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
france:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
france:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
| 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
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
france:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
france:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
france:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay