Table of contents
1. What About Driving Direction and Roundabouts?2. Can You Turn Right on Red Lights?3. What to Do at an Intersection Without Traffic Lights?4. Is It Safest to Drive on the Right?5. How Are Lanes Marked?6. Do Lane Directions Change?7. Do Lanes Change Direction at Different Times of Day?8. How to Make a U-Turn?9. How to Identify Pedestrian Crossings?10. Can You Use Bus Lanes?Mainland China Driving Violations and PenaltiesMainland China Highway Toll/Payment MethodsMainland China Parking Tips
【大陸自駕遊】港車北上自駕遊10大疑問 必知駕駛規則|扣分罰則|高速公路收費

Mainland China Road Trip: Top 10 Questions and Essential Driving Rules

When it comes to road trips, most people think of places like Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan. However, with more Hong Kong residents driving their own cars north, road trips in Guangdong Province have become a hot topic in recent years.

In addition to the difference in driving direction compared to Hong Kong, Mainland China has many different driving rules, which confuse many Hong Kong drivers. This guide will address the top 10 questions about self-driving in Mainland China and provide essential driving rules and penalties you need to know before heading north.

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1. What About Driving Direction and Roundabouts?

One of the most well-known rules in Mainland China is the left-hand drive. The most important thing to note is that the driving direction will change from Hong Kong's left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic, with the leftmost lane being the "fast lane." If you want to overtake the vehicle in front, you should do so in the left lane. Additionally, when entering and exiting roundabouts, you'll need to drive in a counter-clockwise direction, which is the opposite of the clockwise direction in Hong Kong. For drivers new to left-hand drive vehicles, it is advisable to slow down and pay close attention to other vehicles to adjust more easily.

2. Can You Turn Right on Red Lights?

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In Mainland China, you can turn right at a red light as long as you do not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians, provided the traffic light is circular. However, for straight or left turns, you must wait for a green light. If the traffic light is an arrow, you must follow the direction indicated by the arrow.

3. What to Do at an Intersection Without Traffic Lights?

At a crossroad without traffic lights where you need to turn left, remember the principle of "first go straight, then turn." Allow vehicles going straight from the opposite direction to pass before making your left turn.

4. Is It Safest to Drive on the Right?

Since Mainland China uses right-hand driving, the rightmost lane is often the slow lane. However, driving too close to the right is not always safest. Many small motorcycles travel on the far right, and there are often exits and entry points from the right. Driving in the second lane from the right can be safer and make it easier to turn left when needed.

5. How Are Lanes Marked?

In Hong Kong, double white lines signify no crossing, but in Mainland China, single white lines indicate this prohibition. Single yellow and double yellow lines are used to separate opposing traffic lanes and are also no-crossing zones.

6. Do Lane Directions Change?

Unlike Hong Kong where lane directions are fixed, Mainland China has variable lanes that can change based on traffic conditions. Lane direction changes are usually indicated by road signs in advance, so just pay close attention to the signs.

7. Do Lanes Change Direction at Different Times of Day?

【大陸自駕遊】港車北上自駕遊10大疑問 必知駕駛規則|扣分罰則|高速公路收費

In addition to variable lanes, Mainland China has tidal lanes indicated by double yellow dashed lines. These lanes may change direction at different times of the day or during special periods. Drivers should pay attention to traffic lights to avoid driving in the wrong direction.

8. How to Make a U-Turn?

In Hong Kong, you need to be in the rightmost lane to make a U-turn. In Mainland China, dedicated U-turn lanes are often marked, but they may not always be in the leftmost lane; sometimes they are in the middle lanes. U-turn lanes may also be located under bridges, and there may be separate lanes for large and small vehicles, so watch for road signs.

9. How to Identify Pedestrian Crossings?

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Pedestrian crossings in Mainland China might not have dedicated pedestrian lights or the yellow pedestrian crossing lights common in Hong Kong. Instead, white diamond markings are painted on the road near pedestrian crossings. Additionally, there are yellow flashing pedestrian crossing signs on the roadside, though these may be obscured by trees.

10. Can You Use Bus Lanes?

Like Hong Kong, Mainland China has bus lanes reserved for buses. These lanes are usually on the far right of the road. You can drive over bus lanes when making a right turn into a side street or when entering or exiting buildings.

Mainland China Driving Violations and Penalties

Since April 1, 2022, Mainland China has implemented a points-based system similar to Hong Kong's for traffic violations. The system uses a 12-point scale, with points reset annually. Note that speeding is calculated as a percentage over the speed limit rather than the absolute speed. Key violations and their points are as follows:

Speeding

Over 20% but less than 50% of the speed limit on non-highway roads

3 points

Over 20% but less than 50% of the speed limit on highways

6 points

Over 50% of the speed limit on non-highway roads

6 points

Over 50% of the speed limit on highways

12 points

 

12-point Violations (Partial List)

Drunk driving

Leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death without reporting to authorities

9-point Violations (Partial List)

Carrying more than 50% but less than 100% above the vehicle’s rated capacity.

Operating a vehicle without displaying license plates or intentionally obscuring them.

6 Points Violations (Partial List)

Disregarding traffic light signals.

Operating a vehicle without a valid driving license.

Using emergency lanes on highways for non-emergency purposes.

3 Points Violation (Partial List)

Not following lane rules: Failing to drive in the designated lane.

Using a mobile phone while driving: Operating a mobile phone while driving.

Failing to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks: Not giving way to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings.

Driving below the minimum speed on highways: Driving below the minimum speed limit on highways.

1 Point Violations (Partial List)

Not using vehicle lights as required: Failing to use headlights or other required vehicle lights.

Violating traffic signs: Disregarding road signs.

Illegal vehicle modifications: Making unauthorized modifications to a vehicle.

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Mainland China Highway Toll/Payment Methods

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Unless you are only traveling within the city, most self-drive tours will involve driving on highways, so understanding tolls and payment methods is essential. 

Highway tolls in Mainland China are based on distance. For example, in Guangdong Province, the toll for cars with fewer than nine seats is ¥0.45 per kilometer on four-lane highways and ¥0.60 per kilometer on highways with six lanes or more. You can check highway tolls in advance through apps like "Yue Tong Card ETC," WeChat, Gaode Maps, or Baidu Maps.

At highway exits, there are both manual and ETC lanes. Vehicles with ETC devices can use the ETC lanes, while others must use the manual lanes to pay. Entering an ETC lane by mistake may result in a fine.

Mainland China Parking Tips

Most parking lots in Mainland China have automatic scanning systems that record license plate numbers upon entry. However, some parking lots may not recognize Hong Kong license plates and may require assistance from staff. Parking fees in urban areas typically range from ¥5 to ¥8 per hour. When leaving, a QR code will be displayed for payment, which can be settled via Alipay or WeChat Pay, so make sure to have these payment systems activated on your phone.

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Kwiksure is a licensed motor insurance brokerage company with over 20 years of experience in insurance. The company strives to simplify insurance and select the best insurance plans for customers that fit their budget and coverage needs.

Kwiksure provides a range of insurance products, including car insurance, motorcycle insurance, cross-border insurance between Hong Kong and Mainland China, home insurance, travel insurance, domestic helper insurance, and voluntary medical insurance. The team has been named "Best Car Insurance Broker" and "Outstanding Leadership Award" by various media outlets over the years.

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