Driving Differences: China vs. Malaysia Explained
Traveling through China and Malaysia offers unique experiences, but understanding their distinct road regulations is essential for safe navigation. From lane usage and speed limits to signaling at roundabouts, these nations present contrasting approaches. Notably, China drives on the right, while Malaysia adheres to the left, showcasing their diverse traffic cultures.
Lanes
| China | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| 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: 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; 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 |
Driving Side
china:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malaysia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
malaysia:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
malaysia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-60 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: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
malaysia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| China | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Malaysia |
| 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 | Malay 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
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 yearly for roadworthiness |
| 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
malaysia:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
malaysia:
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
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
malaysia:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| 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
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay