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.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in china is the Right Side of the road
49
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in china is 49
1.162 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for china is 1.162 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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.
Alcohol
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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