Driving Differences: China vs Uzbekistan Explained
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of China and Uzbekistan, travelers must be aware of their distinct regulations and road behaviors. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and overtaking rules. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey on foreign roads.
Lanes
| China | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided 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 discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| 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.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
uzbekistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
uzbekistan:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100 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 | 90 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; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| China | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Uzbek and Russian; 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
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
china:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
china:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
uzbekistan:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| China | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| 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
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
uzbekistan:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
uzbekistan:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 102 |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
uzbekistan:
102
Penalties And Fines
| China | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
china:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines