Driving Differences: China vs. Jordan Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between China and Jordan. While both nations permit overtaking under specific circumstances, China boasts designated bus lanes and variable speed limits, unlike Jordan. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and efficient driving experience when navigating unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| China | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the edge of the roadway. |
| 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 Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. |
| 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 rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No specific bus lanes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited; primarily in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Shared with vehicular traffic. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Cycle symbols where applicable. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jordan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
jordan:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
jordan:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
jordan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
jordan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
jordan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
jordan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
jordan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
jordan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 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 | Yes; common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
jordan:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
jordan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
jordan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
jordan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
jordan:
Yes; common.
Signals
| China | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not typically used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | To avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Arabic and English; 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
jordan:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Allowed
china:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jordan:
To avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| China | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
jordan:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
jordan:
Annual inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Moderate use is common |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
jordan:
Moderate use is common
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
jordan:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
jordan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
jordan:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
jordan:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
jordan:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
jordan:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
jordan:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes, occasionally |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay