Driving Differences: China vs. Indonesia Explained
When navigating the roads of China and Indonesia, understanding the distinct driving regulations and practices is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key contrasts include driving on the right versus the left side, lane usage for slower vehicles, and varying speed limits. Familiarizing yourself with these unique characteristics will enhance your travel experience and promote safer travels abroad.
Lanes
| China | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled with specific signage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Primarily in major cities, 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
indonesia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
indonesia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
indonesia:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
indonesia:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
indonesia:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
indonesia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
indonesia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
indonesia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 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 | Common |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
indonesia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
indonesia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
indonesia:
Common
Signals
| China | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Indonesia |
| 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 | Indonesian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
indonesia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| China | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Forbidden unless a sign permits it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Yes, periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Evidence of inspection may be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
indonesia:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Frequent use in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Give way and make room |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
indonesia:
Give way and make room
Alcohol
| China | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies by region; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
indonesia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
indonesia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
indonesia:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Check local emergency numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in case of breakdown |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
indonesia:
112 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| China | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; subject to local laws |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Subject to local laws, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, enforced rigorously |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days