Driving Differences: China vs. Peru Explained
When comparing the road regulations of China and Peru, distinct contrasts emerge that can significantly impact travel experiences. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol consumption rules, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Familiarizing yourself with these essential driving guidelines can enhance your safety while navigating the roads of these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| China | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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' 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: 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.
peru:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
peru:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
peru:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
peru:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
peru:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
peru:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
peru:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
peru:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
peru:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
peru:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 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 | Common; often collected by traffic police |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
peru:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
peru:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
peru:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
peru:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| China | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Peru |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
china:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
peru:
Not used in Peru
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
peru:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| China | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Typically displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
peru:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
peru:
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
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
peru:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Often used more 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
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 widely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial; can 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%
peru:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
peru:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
peru:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
peru:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
peru:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay