China (CN)

Urban residential roads: 30 km/h. Urban arterials: 50–60 km/h. Expressways (high speed): 60–120 km/h depending on road class (posted signs control). Camera enforcement is extensive; speed cameras are often hidden and navigation-app warnings may miss local rules. You remain responsible for compliance regardless of app.

Two legal thresholds apply under the Road Traffic Safety Law: (1) Drink driving (饮酒驾车): 20–79 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood — administrative penalty: RMB 1,000–2,000 fine + 6-month licence suspension for first offence. (2) Drunk driving (醉酒驾车): ≥80 mg per 100 mL of blood — criminal offence: mandatory detention, court prosecution, RMB 1,000–2,000 fine, 5-year (or permanent) licence revocation. Zero alcohol before driving is the only safe approach.

Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is prohibited. Fine: RMB 200 + 3 penalty points. Camera enforcement is active — dedicated cameras detect phone use. Hands-free is permitted. Using a phone while stationary at a red light may also be penalised by police.

Mandatory for all occupants in all seats. Fine: RMB 50–200 + 2 penalty points per unbuckled occupant (driver and each passenger). Rear-seat passengers are personally liable and also subject to fine.

Child restraints are legally required (rules implemented by local province/city, increasingly standardised). Children under 150 cm or under 12 must use appropriate child seats. Fine: RMB 50–200 + points where enforced. Bring an ECE R44 or i-Size certified seat — local market has wide quality range.

Vehicle registration is administered by the local Public Security Bureau Vehicle Administration Office (车辆管理所/车管所). Foreigners need: Chinese driving licence, valid passport, Chinese residence permit, police registration/address certificate, compulsory insurance policy (交强险), purchase invoice (正式发票) or used-car transfer agreement. Dealers typically handle new-car registration. Used-car transfers require: sale agreement, both parties' IDs, original registration certificate (行驶证), no outstanding violations. The number plate (车牌) is issued by the 车管所 subject to local plate access rules.

Compulsory Traffic Accident Liability Insurance (交强险 jiaoqiangxian) is mandatory. Annual premium for private cars: approximately RMB 1,000–2,000. Cover limits are relatively low — medical expenses RMB 18,000 (death/disability), property RMB 2,000. Commercial third-party liability insurance and comprehensive cover are strongly recommended — medical and property claims often exceed compulsory limits significantly. Confirm whether the policy covers: all household drivers, flood damage (critical in flood-prone cities), EV battery fire, theft, broken glass, and cross-province use.

Vehicle and vessel tax (车船税) is paid annually and collected by the tax bureau. Rate depends on engine displacement: for a 1.6L petrol car, approximately RMB 360–660/year. Electric vehicles: RMB 0–120/year or exempt depending on city and policy. Purchase tax (购置税) applies to most new vehicle purchases: typically 10% of the taxable value (domestic EVs may be exempt under current policy incentives — confirm status annually as this changes).

Mandatory annual vehicle inspection (年检 nian jian) is required based on vehicle age. Schedule: new vehicles are exempt for the first 6 years (6-year free period); 6–10 years old: annual inspection; over 10 years old: semi-annual (twice per year). Conducted at authorised vehicle inspection stations (车辆检测站). Fee: approximately RMB 100–300 for private cars (2026 rates). The inspection covers emissions, brakes, lights, VIN and general roadworthiness. Vehicles with outstanding fines or unpaid traffic penalties cannot pass inspection renewal. Results are linked to the vehicle licence disc (行驶证) renewal.

• •Use dedicated bike/e-bike lanes (非机动车道) where available — cycling on expressways and elevated roads is prohibited.
• •Do not ride against traffic — fines apply for cycling the wrong way.
• •E-bikes: maximum speed 25 km/h for standard (non-motor vehicle) classification; faster e-bikes require motor vehicle registration and licence.
• •E-bikes may require registration plates in many cities — register at the 车管所 with proof of purchase.
• •Helmet is mandatory for e-bike riders (enforced with increasing strictness since 2023 national standard); strongly recommended for all cyclists.
• •Do not carry additional passengers on bikes or e-bikes unless the vehicle is specifically designed for it.
• •Do not charge e-bike batteries in shared corridors or inside apartments — fire safety enforcement is active.

• •Wear a helmet even if you see many locals without one — enforcement is tightening and safety risk is real.
• •Use lights at night — many bike-share bikes have dynamo lights but e-bikes should have fixed front and rear lights.
• •Watch for delivery riders (外卖 riders) who move fast, silently and sometimes against traffic.
• •Air quality (PM2.5/AQI) can make cycling inadvisable — check the AQI before riding.
• •Use Hellobike or Meituan Bike app-based sharing for urban trips until you are confident with local junction behaviour.
• •Check your compound's rules for e-bike parking and charging before buying — many compounds restrict indoor battery charging.
• •Avoid headphones in city traffic — you need to hear horns, e-bikes and scooters approaching from unexpected directions.