Driving Differences: China vs. Monaco Explained
When navigating the roads of China and Monaco, drivers encounter unique rules and regulations that can significantly impact their experience. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance. Understanding these driving norms is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in these diverse countries.
Lanes
| China | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed if traffic conditions permit. |
| 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 | Limited, mostly on main roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Predominantly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled ‘BUS’. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Shared with small vehicles or buses. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings. |
| 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. | Standard speed limits apply |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
monaco:
Allowed if traffic conditions permit.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
monaco:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
monaco:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
monaco:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
monaco:
Limited, mostly on main roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
monaco:
Predominantly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
monaco:
Labeled ‘BUS’.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
monaco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
monaco:
Shared with small vehicles or buses.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
monaco:
Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
monaco:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
monaco:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Speeds Limits
| China | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Standard speed limits apply |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Common for traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
monaco:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
monaco:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
monaco:
Common for traffic violations
Signals
| China | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Rare in Monaco, usually not used |
| 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 | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
china:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
monaco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
monaco:
Rare in Monaco, usually not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
monaco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
monaco:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
monaco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| China | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Permitted where indicated; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
monaco:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
monaco:
Permitted where indicated; check for signs
Documentation
| China | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
monaco:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
monaco:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
monaco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
monaco:
Required annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
monaco:
Displayed on the vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
monaco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
monaco:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
monaco:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Can be substantial; varies by severity |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
monaco:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
monaco:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
monaco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
monaco:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
monaco:
Can be substantial; varies by severity
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
monaco:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
monaco:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 or 18 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Local police also available on 911 using GSM |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available through service providers or insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
monaco:
112 or 18
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
monaco:
Local police also available on 911 using GSM
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
monaco:
Available through service providers or insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
monaco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fine applies if not used |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines issued |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | High fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; varies |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be settled soon |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
monaco:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
monaco:
Fine applies if not used
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
monaco:
Substantial fines issued
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
monaco:
High fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
monaco:
Possible; varies
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
monaco:
Varies; typically must be settled soon