Driving Differences: China vs. Romania Explained
Explore the unique driving regulations between China and Romania to enhance your road safety while traveling. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol limits, with China showing more flexibility in overtaking rules, while Romania emphasizes stricter alcohol tolerance. Understanding these variations is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| China | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| 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 | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
romania:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
romania:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
romania:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| China | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 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 | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
romania:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| China | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| China | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| China | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Yes, periodic inspections 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
romania:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Moderate use expected |
| 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
romania:
Moderate use expected
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| 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 | Considerable fines for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
romania:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
romania:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
romania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| China | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
china:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist