Driving in China vs Japan: Key Differences You Should Know
When venturing into the bustling roads of China or the orderly streets of Japan, understanding the distinct driving norms is essential for a secure journey. Key variations include driving sides, speed limits, and traffic regulations. While China allows overtaking on the left, Japan strictly enforces right-side overtaking, ensuring a unique driving experience in each nation.
Lanes
| China | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the right 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 is done on the right. |
| 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 during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
japan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
japan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
japan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
japan:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
japan:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
japan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
japan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
japan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
japan:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| China | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Japan |
| 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 | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
japan:
Not used in Japan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
japan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
japan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| China | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
japan:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Generally used sparingly |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
china:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
japan:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
japan:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days