Driving in China vs. Tunisia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of China and Tunisia, understanding the diverse rules and regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed limits, and overtaking regulations, all of which significantly impact driving behavior. This comparison sheds light on the unique driving customs in each nation, ensuring you stay informed and secure on your travels.
Lanes
| China | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not typically permitted. |
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| 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.
tunisia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
tunisia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
tunisia:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
tunisia:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
tunisia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
tunisia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
tunisia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| China | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not typically used |
| 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 and French; 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
tunisia:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
tunisia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| China | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
tunisia:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Moderate use |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
china:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
tunisia:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
tunisia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial; varies by offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
tunisia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tunisia:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
tunisia:
Yes