Driving in China vs. North Macedonia: Key Safety Insights
When navigating the roads of China and North Macedonia, understanding the distinctions in traffic regulations and driving practices is essential for a safe journey. Key differences include lane use guidelines, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| China | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| 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' or 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 marked paths. |
| 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.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
north macedonia:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
north macedonia:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 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 | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| China | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
china:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
china:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
china:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| China | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
north macedonia:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
north macedonia:
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
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| 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 |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
china:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
north macedonia:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay