Driving in China vs Poland: Key Differences Uncovered
When exploring the roads of China and Poland, it's essential to understand their unique traffic regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and signaling norms, which play a vital role in ensuring road safety. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your 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 | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. | |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. | |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. | |
| 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, taxis, and bicycles where specified. | |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. | |
| 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 sometimes colored pavement. | |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No | |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
poland:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
poland:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
poland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
poland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
poland:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
poland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
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| China | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h | |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 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 | 140 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: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. | |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
poland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
poland:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
poland:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
poland:
140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
poland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
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| China | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Signals a change to green is imminent. | |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. | |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. | |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. | |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. | |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Polish; symbols are standard. | |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
china:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
china:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
china:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
china:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
china:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
china:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
china:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
china:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
china:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
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| China | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. | |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Varies by location; check for signs. | |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. | |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
china:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
china:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
china:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
china:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
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| China | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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; International Driving Permit recommended. | |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted with International Driving Permit. | |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Mandatory every year. | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield. | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
china:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
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| China | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. | |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. | |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. | |
| 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 crosswalks. | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
china:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
china:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
china:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
china:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
china:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
china:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
china:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
When exploring the roads of China and Poland, it's essential to understand their unique traffic regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and signaling norms, which play a vital role in ensuring road safety. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Alcohol
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| China | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% | |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used frequently. | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial. | |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. | |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
poland:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
china:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
china:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
china:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| China | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. | |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight. | |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
china:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
china:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
china:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
china:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
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| China | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 997 | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 981 or through your insurance provider. | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
poland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
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| China | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Mandatory, fines apply. | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines and license points apply. | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. | |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. | |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
china:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
china:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.