Driving Safety: China vs. Iceland - Key Differences
When exploring road rules, driving conditions in China and Iceland present intriguing contrasts. From lane markings and speed regulations to signaling practices and alcohol limits, each country has its unique approach to vehicular regulation. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad, whether navigating bustling cities or scenic landscapes.
Lanes
| China | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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[ 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; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| 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 |
| 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.
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
iceland:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
iceland:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
iceland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
iceland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 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 | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
iceland:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
iceland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
iceland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| China | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | N/A |
| 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 |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
china:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
china:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| China | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
iceland:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| China | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
| 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
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
iceland:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame