Driving Differences: China vs. Greece Uncovered
Exploring the road rules of China and Greece reveals fascinating contrasts in their driving regulations and safety practices. While both countries prioritize road safety, China employs stricter speed limits and unique lane markings, whereas Greece emphasizes clear signage and a different approach to alcohol limits. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for any traveler navigating foreign roads.
Lanes
| China | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
greece:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
greece:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
greece:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| China | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
greece:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
greece:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| China | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Greece |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| China | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
greece:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| 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 and potential penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
greece:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
greece:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Roundabouts
| China | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
greece:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
greece:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay