Driving in China vs. Sweden: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of China and Sweden, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experience. Key differences include lane usage rules, speed limits, and traffic signal protocols. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country, as adherence to local customs can significantly impact road safety.
Lanes
| China | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn 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, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
china:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
sweden:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
sweden:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
sweden:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
sweden:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
sweden:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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 | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| China | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Use is generally discouraged. |
| 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 | Swedish; 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 | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
china:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
china:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
china:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
china:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
china:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
china:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
china:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
china:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| China | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not generally allowed. |
| 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 | Allowed except where prohibited by 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
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
china:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
china:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
china:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
china:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| China | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
china:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| China | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| 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 | Move to the side of the road 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
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
china:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
china:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
china:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
china:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
china:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
china:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| China | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 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; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
china:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
china:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
china:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| China | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| 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
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
china:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
china:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
china:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| China | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| China | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Typically within 30 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
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
china:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
china:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.