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.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in china is the Right Side of the road
49
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in china is 49
1.162 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for china is 1.162 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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.
Alcohol
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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