Driving in China vs. Montenegro: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of China and Montenegro, drivers encounter distinct protocols and regulations that significantly affect their travel experience. This comparison highlights key variations, such as lane markings, speed limits, and traffic enforcement. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in both countries.
Lanes
| China | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| 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. | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. |
| 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 sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. |
| 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 | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
montenegro:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
montenegro:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
montenegro:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
montenegro:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
montenegro:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
montenegro:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
montenegro:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
montenegro:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
montenegro:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
montenegro:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
montenegro:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
montenegro:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| China | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 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 | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
montenegro:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
montenegro:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
montenegro:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
Signals
| China | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Montenegro |
| 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 | Montenegrin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
montenegro:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
Turns
| China | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sometimes allowed, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
Documentation
| China | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for extended stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
montenegro:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
montenegro:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Use common but regulated |
| 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
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
montenegro:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
montenegro:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
montenegro:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
montenegro:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
montenegro:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available from several organizations; check locally |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
montenegro:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
montenegro:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
montenegro:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Usually within 8 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days