Driving in China vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of China and Norway, distinct variations in traffic regulations and driving customs emerge. Key differences include lane usage, speed limits, and the protocol for overtaking. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey while navigating each country's unique driving landscape.
Lanes
| China | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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 '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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | Minimum two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
norway:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
norway:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| China | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 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 | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
norway:
Yes
Signals
| China | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Norway |
| 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| China | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| China | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
norway:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | High fines and possible license revocation |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
norway:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes, typically required |
| 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
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay