Driving in China vs. New Zealand: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of China and New Zealand, understanding their unique regulations and practices is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, speed limits, and the use of lanes. With these insights, travelers can navigate confidently and embrace a smoother driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| China | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the right 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| 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. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | Not applicable |
Driving Side
china:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
new zealand:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
new zealand:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
new zealand:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
new zealand:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| China | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 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 | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| China | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | 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
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| China | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
new zealand:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
new zealand:
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
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
china:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| 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 | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| China | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
| 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
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
new zealand:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay