Driving in China vs. Saudi Arabia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of China and Saudi Arabia, it's crucial to understand the distinct driving regulations and practices that govern each country. Key differences emerge in lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions, impacting overall road safety. Equip yourself with this knowledge to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| China | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | Minimum two or three occupants |
| 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.
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
saudi arabia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
saudi arabia:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
saudi arabia:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
saudi arabia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| China | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| 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 | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
saudi arabia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
saudi arabia:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
saudi arabia:
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
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Frequent use for communication on the road |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
saudi arabia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
china:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Roundabouts
| China | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
saudi arabia:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay