Driving in China vs. Lithuania: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts in vehicular regulations and road practices between China and Lithuania. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol allowances and emergency protocols, each country presents unique driving guidelines. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad. Dive in to learn more about safe navigation in these diverse landscapes!
Lanes
| China | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Separation of opposing traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multi-lane 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: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. |
| 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 colored pavement. |
| 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.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
lithuania:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
lithuania:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
lithuania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
lithuania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
lithuania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
lithuania:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
lithuania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lithuania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 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, issued by police. |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
lithuania:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
lithuania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
lithuania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
lithuania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| China | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Indicates prepared to start |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Lithuanian; 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
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| China | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| China | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Mandatory annual check |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
lithuania:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lithuania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| 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 |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
china:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
lithuania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
lithuania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial; varies based on BAC level |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Results in penalties and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
lithuania:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
lithuania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
china:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
lithuania:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
lithuania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lithuania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| 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, by police |
| 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
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
lithuania:
Yes, by police
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay