Driving in China vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Explore the distinct road regulations and habits of China and the United Kingdom to enhance your driving experience abroad. Key differences include driving sides—right in China versus left in the UK—and varying speed limits, signals, and overtaking rules. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance on international roads.
Lanes
| China | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| 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 leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
china:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
china:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
united kingdom:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
china:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| China | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| 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
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| China | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
china:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
china:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| China | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| China | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
china:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| China | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay