In China, international driver's licenses are not valid, so you can only rent a car with a driver. The approximate cost of renting a car in China with a driver-guide for a sightseeing trip is around $150 per day. This arrangement is often the best choice due to the crowded roads, presence of cyclists, rickshaws, and the generally chaotic traffic, where local drivers may not always adhere to road rules. Therefore, renting a car with a driver is a convenient option for most travelers in China unless you plan to reside in the country for an extended period and are willing to thoroughly learn local driving traditions and laws.
Starting from 2007, international driver's licenses have been accepted, but you can also obtain a Chinese provisional driver's license for a limited period, usually up to 3 months, but not longer than the duration specified in your exit document. This period cannot be extended. To obtain a temporary license, drivers must attend classes to learn Chinese traffic rules. Even after obtaining this license, you are only allowed to drive small cars or vehicles with automatic transmission. Given these restrictions, many travelers find it more convenient to hire a driver.
In China, adherence to speed limits is not common practice, and many roads lack speed cameras. In areas where speed cameras are present, signs indicating "speed cameras" are typically displayed. Enforcement of traffic rules can be lax in China, but there is still a risk of penalties. If you hire a car with a driver, the responsibility often falls on the driver, but it's essential to be aware of the situation. It is generally acceptable to exceed the speed limit by 10-20 km/h.
However, exceeding this margin may result in fines. On average, traffic rule fines in China can be close to 2000 CNY, and in some cases, you may even face the loss of your driver's license. The cost of gasoline in China varies by region, with an average price of approximately 0.94 USD per liter and a minimum of 0.92 USD.
The speed limits in China depend on the type of road:
- High-speed intercity highway - 120 km/h
- Half-speed intercity highway - 100 km/h
- City ring road - 100 km/h
- China National Non-Speed Intercity Road - 80 km/h
- Chinese National Urban Road - under 40 km/h
- National urban highway - 80 km/h
- City road with two solid yellow lines - 70 km/h
- City road with one lane in each direction of traffic - 50 km/h
- City road with one lane in each direction of traffic - 50 km/h
The road conditions can vary significantly from one area to another and depend on the local municipality. In China, encountering open manholes or substantial road cracks is not uncommon. Most roads fall into the category of national roads, consisting of one or two lanes in each direction and spanning thousands of kilometers. These roads may pass through towns and villages without any significant changes or warnings and are similar to secondary roads in Europe.
Road conditions can range from excellent (allowing speeds of up to 110 km/h) to very poor (where speeds of no more than 20 km/h are recommended). Eastern China boasts several newly built, high-quality expressways that are not heavily congested. As of now, toll roads are not common in China.
