Driving in China vs. Switzerland: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of China and Switzerland, drivers encounter notable contrasts in roadway regulations and safety practices. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol thresholds, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring secure travel. Discover how these two nations prioritize road etiquette and compliance differently, enhancing your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| China | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
switzerland:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
switzerland:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
switzerland:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
switzerland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| China | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Prepare to go |
| 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 | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| 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
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| China | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| China | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| 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 | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
switzerland:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Less frequent use 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
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| China | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
china:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Penalties And Fines
| China | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay