LaneChina

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. Lane

A lane is a longitudinal part of a roadway intended to accommodate a line of moving vehicles. A roadway may contain one or several lanes for traffic travelling in the same or opposite directions.

Lanes are commonly separated by continuous or broken road markings. Traffic signs, lane arrows and lane-control signals may indicate which vehicles may use a lane, which direction traffic must follow or whether a lane is open or closed.

What is a traffic lane?

A traffic lane is a longitudinal part of a roadway intended for a line of moving vehicles.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 10 and 13–14; international framework subject to national law

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Article 23(11); Annex 1, sections E II.1 and G V.1–2; sign-system reference

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 133–134; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 257–258; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, information signs

Who has priority when changing lane?

A driver changing lane generally must give way to traffic already travelling in the lane being entered, although specific merging rules may apply in some situations.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 10 and 13–14; international framework subject to national law

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Article 23(11); Annex 1, sections E II.1 and G V.1–2; sign-system reference

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 133–134; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 257–258; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, information signs

What should you do when your lane ends?

Follow the merging rules and road markings, observe surrounding traffic and move into the continuing lane safely. Special zipper-merging rules may apply during congestion.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 10 and 13–14; international framework subject to national law

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Article 23(11); Annex 1, sections E II.1 and G V.1–2; sign-system reference

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 133–134; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 257–258; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, information signs