ChevronChina

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of China. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


24. Chevron

A chevron is a V-shaped or arrow-shaped road marker used to show a sharp change in the direction of a road. Chevron boards are normally placed along the outside of a curve so that their points indicate the direction in which the road continues.

Chevrons improve the visibility and alignment of a curve, especially in darkness or poor weather. They do not normally impose a speed limit or determine priority, so drivers must reduce speed before the curve and follow all other signs and road markings.

Chevron
Chevrons to indicate a sharp curve. (Henan, China)
Wikimedia.org • Ngguls • CC BY-SA
What is the purpose of chevron boards on a road in mainland China?

Chevron alignment boards help drivers see which way a sharp bend continues, especially in darkness or poor visibility. Their precise shape and colour depend on the local sign system; pay attention to the alignment shown rather than assuming one universal design.

🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — MOT JTG/T 3371—2022 clause 13.2.6: direction-guidance devices in tunnel alignments; actual controls remain separate

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text

🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text

🔗 szjj.sz.gov.cn • Shenzhen Traffic Police — official sign categories and their functions

🔗 openstd.samr.gov.cn • SAMR — current GB 5768.2-2022 status, not the full standard

🔗 std.sacinfo.org.cn • SAC — published first sign-standard amendment, effective 1 January 2026

🔗 xxgk.mot.gov.cn • MOT — full JTG/T 3371—2022, clause 13.2.6, alignment direction-guidance role; no universal deployment or sign spacing asserted

Do chevron boards give priority or order a turn at junctions in mainland China?

Not ordinary curve-alignment chevrons. They guide you around a bend. Give-way, no-entry, keep-direction and other mandatory traffic signs must be read separately; similar-looking arrows can have different legal meanings.

🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — MOT JTG/T 3371—2022 clause 13.2.6: direction-guidance devices in tunnel alignments; actual controls remain separate

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text

🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text

🔗 szjj.sz.gov.cn • Shenzhen Traffic Police — official sign categories and their functions

🔗 openstd.samr.gov.cn • SAMR — current GB 5768.2-2022 status, not the full standard

🔗 std.sacinfo.org.cn • SAC — published first sign-standard amendment, effective 1 January 2026

🔗 xxgk.mot.gov.cn • MOT — full JTG/T 3371—2022, clause 13.2.6, alignment direction-guidance role; no universal deployment or sign spacing asserted

Is the speed shown by a chevron in mainland China a compulsory maximum?

A chevron alone does not set a numerical maximum speed. If an advisory-speed panel or a regulatory speed-limit sign is displayed alongside it, identify which type it is and follow the binding speed rules.

🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — MOT JTG/T 3371—2022 clause 13.2.6: direction-guidance devices in tunnel alignments; actual controls remain separate

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text

🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text

🔗 szjj.sz.gov.cn • Shenzhen Traffic Police — official sign categories and their functions

🔗 openstd.samr.gov.cn • SAMR — current GB 5768.2-2022 status, not the full standard

🔗 std.sacinfo.org.cn • SAC — published first sign-standard amendment, effective 1 January 2026

🔗 xxgk.mot.gov.cn • MOT — full JTG/T 3371—2022, clause 13.2.6, alignment direction-guidance role; no universal deployment or sign spacing asserted

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