Driving in China vs. Netherlands: Safety Tips & Differences
When comparing the driving landscapes of China and the Netherlands, significant contrasts emerge. From lane markings and speed regulations to alcohol limits and road etiquette, these two nations present unique approaches to vehicle operation. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring safe travels, especially for those venturing abroad.
Lanes
| China | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; 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 often distinct red coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
netherlands:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
netherlands:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
netherlands:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
netherlands:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| China | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Netherlands |
| 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 | Dutch; 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
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| China | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
netherlands:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
china:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
netherlands:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required