Tools
Driving in China
The rules of the road as our desk recorded them, native unit first.
Right
50 / 80 / 120 km/h · 31 / 50 / 75 mph
urban / rural / motorway
Not required
China does not recognise the International Driving Permit at all. Driving legally requires a temporary Chinese licence, obtainable at some airports and city vehicle offices with a test on local rules - plan for it or do not drive.
0.02% - and criminal liability from 0.08%
Extensive tolls across the expressway network, collected electronically or at booths.
Not required by day.
Required for under-fours since 2021; rental stock exists in cities.
Almost no visitor drives here, and the licence rule is the reason. The rail network makes it unnecessary anyway - the only common exception is a hired car with driver in Yunnan or Xinjiang.