Information signsChina

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.


1. Start of a priority road

This traffic sign indicates the start of a priority road. Drivers on the priority road normally have priority over traffic entering from side roads until the priority road ends, unless traffic lights, other signs or applicable traffic rules indicate otherwise.

Start of a priority road.

2. Start of a motorway

This traffic sign indicates the start of a motorway. From this point, special motorway rules apply, including restrictions on which road users may enter and on stopping, reversing and other manoeuvres. Follow the applicable speed limits, lane rules and local motorway regulations.

Start of a motorway.

English • Traffic sign 路56 • Motorway or urban expressway begins. Follow the relevant road rules and local signs from this point.

中文 • 路56 • 高速公路或城市快速路起点。 图示道路从这里开始;应遵守高速公路或城市快速路的相关规定及现场标志。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Openstd.samr.gov.cn • 国家标准全文公开 • GB 5768.2-2022(含第1号修改单)
🔗 Upload.wikimedia.org • 标准原文镜像 • PDF第140页

SVG source: Beijing Traffic Management Bureau • Public domain • Original revision 2022-02-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against Openstd.samr.gov.cn • official published diagram 路56.

3. End of the motorway

This traffic sign indicates the end of the motorway. The special motorway rules end at this point. Follow the speed limits, access rules and other traffic signs that apply to the road ahead.

End of the motorway.

English • Traffic sign 路60 • Motorway or urban expressway ends. Follow local signs and applicable rules on the road beyond.

中文 • 路60 • 高速公路或城市快速路终点。 图示高速公路或城市快速路在这里结束,接下来的道路按现场标志和适用规则行驶。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Openstd.samr.gov.cn • 国家标准全文公开 • GB 5768.2-2022(含第1号修改单)
🔗 Upload.wikimedia.org • 标准原文镜像 • PDF第141页

SVG source: Beijing Traffic Management Bureau • Public domain • Original revision 2022-02-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against Openstd.samr.gov.cn • official published diagram 路60.

4. Crossing for pedestrians

This traffic sign indicates a crossing for pedestrians. It marks a designated place where pedestrians cross the road. Priority and crossing rules depend on the applicable traffic signs, signals and local regulations.

Crossing for pedestrians.

English • Traffic sign 示16 • Pedestrian crossing. Motor vehicles must stop and let pedestrians already on the crossing pass.

中文 • 示16 • 人行横道。 此处为人行横道;行人已进入人行横道时,机动车应停车让行人通过。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Openstd.samr.gov.cn • 国家标准全文公开 • GB 5768.2-2022(含第1号修改单)
🔗 Upload.wikimedia.org • 标准原文镜像 • PDF第59页

SVG source: Beijing Traffic Management Bureau • Public domain • Original revision 2022-02-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way

This traffic sign indicates a road narrowing where oncoming drivers have to give way.

Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.

English • Traffic sign 示15 • Priority over oncoming traffic. This direction has priority; proceed only after checking the narrow section can be passed safely.

中文 • 示15 • 会车先行。 会车时本方向享有优先通行权;确认狭窄路段可安全通过后再前进。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Openstd.samr.gov.cn • 国家标准全文公开 • GB 5768.2-2022(含第1号修改单)
🔗 Upload.wikimedia.org • 标准原文镜像 • PDF第58页

SVG source: Beijing Traffic Management Bureau • Public domain • Original revision 2022-02-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

6. Dead end street

This traffic sign indicates a dead end street. The road has no through route for vehicles, although access to properties or other destinations along the road may still be possible.

Dead end street.

English • Traffic sign 路25 • Dead-end road. There is no exit allowing vehicles to continue ahead.

中文 • 路25 • 此路不通。 前方道路没有可供车辆继续通行的出口。

7. Road with one-way traffic

This traffic sign indicates a road with one-way traffic. Vehicular traffic may travel only in the permitted direction, subject to any exceptions indicated by traffic signs or local rules.

Road with one-way traffic.

English • Traffic sign 示11 • One-way straight ahead. Vehicles may travel only in the upward arrow's direction.

中文 • 示11 • 单行路:直行。 该道路只允许车辆按向上的箭头所示方向行驶。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Openstd.samr.gov.cn • 国家标准全文公开 • GB 5768.2-2022(含第1号修改单)
🔗 Upload.wikimedia.org • 标准原文镜像 • PDF第55页

SVG source: Beijing Traffic Management Bureau • Public domain • Original revision 2021-09-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

8. Road with one-way traffic

This traffic sign indicates a road with one-way traffic. Drivers may travel only in the permitted direction.

Road with one-way traffic.

English • Traffic sign 示10 • One-way to the right. Vehicles may travel only in the rightward arrow's direction.

中文 • 示10 • 单行路:向右。 该道路只允许车辆按向右的箭头所示方向行驶。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Openstd.samr.gov.cn • 国家标准全文公开 • GB 5768.2-2022(含第1号修改单)
🔗 Upload.wikimedia.org • 标准原文镜像 • PDF第55页

SVG source: Beijing Traffic Management Bureau • Public domain • Original revision 2021-09-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

9. Overview of the lanes and their direction

This traffic sign gives an overview of the lanes and their direction. The arrows or other indications show how the lanes continue and which directions or destinations they serve.

Overview of the lanes and their direction.

English • Traffic sign Advance junction diagram (symbol category) • Advance junction direction sign. Arrows and road names show the routes ahead. The image gives 500 m advance notice for left and right turns; choose your route early. Identified by sign category or symbol meaning; an exact match to the current standard layout has not been confirmed.

中文 • 路口预告图形类别 • 路口方向预告。 箭头和道路名称指示前方各方向;图中左右转弯方向的预告距离为500 m,应提前选择路线。 已按标志类别或图形含义识别;此完整图形与现行标准版式的精确对应尚未确认。

10. Start of a new lane

This traffic sign indicates the start of a new traffic lane. The displayed road layout shows where the additional lane begins and how the traffic lanes continue.

Start of a new lane.

11. Route to be followed in order to turn left

This traffic sign indicates the route to use for a left turn. Follow the indicated route instead of turning left directly at this point.

Route to be followed in order to turn left.

English • Traffic sign 路24 • Diversion. Follow the diagram to avoid the junction where left turns are prohibited. This sign provides route guidance.

中文 • 路24 • 绕行。 按图示路线绕行,以避开图中禁止左转的路口;该标志用于路线指引。

12. End of a lane

This traffic sign indicates the end of a lane. The displayed lane arrangement shows which lane ends and how the remaining traffic lanes continue.

End of a lane.

13. Runaway truck ramp

This traffic sign indicates a runaway truck ramp. The emergency escape ramp is intended for vehicles that are unable to slow or stop normally, particularly following a loss of braking capability.

Runaway truck ramp.

English • Traffic sign 警43 (symbol category) • Escape lane. Note its entrance and use it according to local instructions; it is not an ordinary parking area. Identified by sign category or symbol meaning; an exact match to the current standard layout has not been confirmed.

中文 • 警43图形类别 • 避险车道。 前方设有避险车道;注意入口位置并按现场指引使用,不是普通停车区。 已按标志类别或图形含义识别;此完整图形与现行标准版式的精确对应尚未确认。

14. Parking allowed

This traffic sign indicates that parking is allowed. Vehicles may be parked in the area covered by the sign subject to any indicated conditions, restrictions or local parking rules.

Parking allowed.

English • Traffic sign 示40 • Parking space. Motor vehicles may park here. Observe bay markings and supplementary vehicle, time or duration restrictions.

中文 • 示40 • 停车位。 此处为允许机动车停放的区域,应遵守车位标线及附加的车种、时间或时长限制。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Openstd.samr.gov.cn • 国家标准全文公开 • GB 5768.2-2022(含第1号修改单)
🔗 Upload.wikimedia.org • 标准原文镜像 • PDF第68页

SVG source: Beijing Traffic Management Bureau • Public domain • Original revision 2022-01-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

15. Parking partly on the roadway and verge

This traffic sign indicates parking partly on the roadway and adjoining verge or pavement. Vehicles must park in the position shown by the sign, with part of the vehicle on the roadway and part on the adjoining verge or pavement.

Parking partly on the roadway and verge.

English • Traffic sign 示40 • Parking partly on the pavement edge. The diagram permits partial pavement-edge parking. Observe bay markings and other local rules.

中文 • 示40 • 部分占用人行道边缘的停车位。 按图示允许部分占用人行道边缘停车,应遵守车位标线和其他现场规定。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Openstd.samr.gov.cn • 国家标准全文公开 • GB 5768.2-2022(含第1号修改单)
🔗 Upload.wikimedia.org • 标准原文镜像 • PDF第68页

SVG source: Beijing Traffic Management Bureau • Public domain • Original revision 2022-01-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.