Driving in China vs Lebanon: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of China and Lebanon, understanding the distinct driving practices is crucial for your safety. From lane markings and speed limits to unique regulations on overtaking, both countries offer a compelling contrast. Familiarize yourself with these essential differences to ensure a smooth and secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| China | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | N/A |
| 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.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
lebanon:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
lebanon:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
lebanon:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
lebanon:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 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 |
| 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
lebanon:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| China | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Lebanon |
| 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 | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| China | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| China | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
lebanon:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Alcohol
| China | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial for violations |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
china:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
lebanon:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days