China vs Turkey: Key Driving Differences Revealed
Driving in China and Turkey presents distinct challenges and regulations that travelers must navigate. Key differences include lane markings, speed limits, and the acceptable blood alcohol levels. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey and compliance with local laws while abroad in these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| China | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
turkey:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
turkey:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
turkey:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
turkey:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| China | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| China | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| China | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
turkey:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | More 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
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
turkey:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| China | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
turkey:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges