Driving Safety: China vs. Ireland – Key Differences
Exploring the contrasts between driving in China and Ireland reveals fascinating insights into their road regulations and practices. Key distinctions include driving sides—right for China and left for Ireland—as well as speed limits and overtaking rules. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safe journeys in each country.
Lanes
| China | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| 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 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 | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
ireland:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
ireland:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
ireland:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
ireland:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
ireland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
ireland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ireland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 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 | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
ireland:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
ireland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
ireland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
ireland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
ireland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| China | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| 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 | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
china:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Turns
| China | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
ireland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
ireland:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Road Etiquette
| China | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Random breath testing is common. |
| 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 |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
ireland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
ireland:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
ireland:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
ireland:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| China | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay