Driving in China vs. India: Key Safety Differences
When venturing into the bustling streets of China or the vibrant roads of India, understanding the driving disparities is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving sides, speed limits, and lane usage regulations, ensuring travelers navigate these diverse environments with confidence and awareness. Stay informed for a secure driving experience abroad!
Lanes
| China | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Yes, but only when safe. |
| 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 leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| 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 |
Driving Side
china:
Right
india:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
india:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
india:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
india:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
india:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
india:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
india:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
india:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 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 |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
india:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
india:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
india:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
china:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| China | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in India |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
china:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
india:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| China | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
china:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| China | India | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
india:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
india:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
china:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
china:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| China | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
india:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
india:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| China | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left 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
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
india:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
india:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense