You may compare different driving licenses against each other for visual clarity:
Apply for an International Driver License for Chinese-speaking countries.
Compare licenses in
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with licenses in
English-speaking countries
Curacao
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British Virgin Islands
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China
- International Driving License has no legal status.
- National licence or International Driving License should be presented to the police who will issue a visitors licence.
- To drive freely in China, you need to get a local driver's license. Keep in mind that your national and international driving licenses are invalid in China. If you are going to stay in the country for less than 3 months, you must obtain a temporary license. Before you are allowed to drive, you will need to attend classes on the local traffic rules. You should always keep your temporary license with you and produce it with national one. This document gives you the right to drive small cars, as well as cars with automatic transmission. If you plan to stay in China for a long time, process a permanent license.
- There is a right-hand driving in China.
- Overtaking on the right is prohibited.
- The minimum age to drive in the country is 18.
- It is forbidden to use a mobile phone if there is no wireless headset.
- The maximum permissible blood alcohol content is 0.02 ppm.
- The country has the following speed limits: in built-up areas - from 30 to 70 km/h, on national motorways - from 40 to 80 km/h, on high-speed urban highways - 100 km/h, on highways - 120 km/h. It’s allowed to exceed a limit by 10 km/h.
- Give way to pedestrians.
- Always wear a seat belt.
- It is impossible to get to Tibet without permission.
- We advise you to refrain from traveling to China in the rainy season (from May to November).
- It is prohibited to drive with dipped headlights on in the daytime.
- Keep in mind that truck drivers often don’t turn on headlights when driving at night.
- We advise you to refrain from driving in the dark. It is dangerous.
- In heavy traffic, when all main traffic lanes are occupied, cars start to use bike lanes.
- Chinese drivers usually run a red, if there is no oncoming traffic. They can do it even with oncoming traffic.
- Drivers in China often forget to change the main beam to the dipped one and not blind oncoming cars. Keep this in mind.
- Drivers often ignore traffic lights on country roads.
- Drivers in China rarely look left when turning right.
- Try to complete the maneuver when overtaking as quickly as possible, especially if it concerns a blind turn.
- Beijing: https://youtu.be/7hAay5Yj28Q
- Wuhan: https://youtu.be/-jlcr7TyqyA
Cook Islands
Cyprus
Dominica
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Fiji
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Grenada
Guam
Guernsey
Guyana
Honduras
Hong Kong
- International Driving License is recognized.
- International Driving License recommended.
- Hong Kong drives on the left. The right side of the road is for overtaking.
- You are prohibited to use your phone while behind the wheel.
- Road signs are duplicated in two languages: English and Chinese.
- The minimum driving age in Hong Kong is 18 years (motorcycle, private car, light goods vehicle) and 21 for those who drive commercial cars.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 50 or 70 km/h on urban roads (mind the road signs) and 30 km/h in residential areas.
- First and foremost, buckle up!
- The maximum allowed alcohol level is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- If you enter from the secondary road, you are obliged to give way to the vehicles driving on the main road.
India
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Chinese-speaking countries
Macau
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License is required.
- Driving in Macau is on the left side of the road.
- The maximum allowed drink drive limit is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- The minimum driving age is 18 years. The minimum rental age is 21.
- Seat belt is a must.
- Do not transport children under the age of 12 in the front seat.
- Hands-free is a must.
- Those who have insufficient driving experience (less than 1 year) are not allowed to transport passengers.
- Do not park at bridges, in tunnels.
- Slow down before hospitals, schools, zebra crossings.
- The maximum allowed speed limit in Macau is 20 to 60 km/h in residential areas and 80 km/h on public roads and highways.
- Keep in mind that roads in Macau are narrow and curvy.
- If you are involved in a car accident, try to move your vehicle to the left side of the road.
Taiwan
- International Driving License is recognized.
- In Taiwan, International Driving License valid for 30 days. Over 30 days International Driving License and national licence must be endorsed locally at a motor vehicle office (photo and passport required).
- Taiwan is a right-hand drive country.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 40-50 km/h on urban roads, 80-90 km/h on rural roads and 100-110 km/h on highways.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The minimum driving age in Taiwan is 18 years. If you want to rent a car, you must be at least 25.
- Hands-free kit is a must.
- The maximum allowed alcohol limit is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood. If you violate the rule, you risk being put in jail. Keep this in mind. Drive sober!
- According to Taiwan child safety rules, children under the age of 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seats. Thus, transport your children in the rear seat and make sure you are using an appropriate restraint system.
- The third-party insurance is a must.
- You must carry a waring road triangle.
- You are prohibited to turn on a red light of the traffic unless stated otherwise.
- Taiwanese drivers are not that polite. Thus, drive defensively. Do not act like a raging bull.
- Road signs in Taiwan are written in Mandarin and English.
