Driving in China vs. Myanmar: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of China and Myanmar, distinct variations in traffic norms and regulations arise. Key contrasts include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions. Understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience in either nation. Prepare yourself to explore the driving landscape of these two fascinating countries!
Lanes
| China | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the 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 Left | Yes | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| 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 leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | N/A |
| 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.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
myanmar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
myanmar:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
myanmar:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
myanmar:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
myanmar:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
myanmar:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70 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
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
myanmar:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
myanmar:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
myanmar:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| China | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Myanmar |
| 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 | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
myanmar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| China | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| China | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| 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
myanmar:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
myanmar:
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
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
myanmar:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
myanmar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Roundabouts
| China | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
myanmar:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| 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
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay