Driving in China vs. Liechtenstein: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique road practices of China and Liechtenstein in this insightful comparison. From lane regulations to speed limits, each country exhibits distinct driving norms that impact traveler safety. Notably, while China permits certain overtaking maneuvers, Liechtenstein emphasizes stricter adherence to traffic signals. Navigate your foreign journey with informed confidence!
Lanes
| China | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. |
| 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 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. | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | N/A |
| 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 sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
liechtenstein:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
liechtenstein:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
liechtenstein:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
liechtenstein:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
liechtenstein:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
liechtenstein:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
liechtenstein:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 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 | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
liechtenstein:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Signals
| China | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green |
| 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 | German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
liechtenstein:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| China | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
liechtenstein:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
liechtenstein:
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
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
liechtenstein:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
liechtenstein:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
liechtenstein:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Heavy fines; varies by severity |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
liechtenstein:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
liechtenstein:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
liechtenstein:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
liechtenstein:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact insurance company or local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
liechtenstein:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
liechtenstein:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Heavy fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
| 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
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay