MotorwayChina
Traffic rules
China
2. Motorway
A motorway is a road specially designed and signposted for motor traffic. Motorways normally have separate carriageways for opposing traffic, controlled access through designated entrances and exits, no direct access to neighbouring properties, and no level crossings with other roads, railways or paths.
Special traffic rules apply on motorways. The permitted road users, speed limits, lane rules, tolls and emergency procedures vary between countries, so drivers must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.
Wikimedia.org • Yuxuan1122 • CC BY-SA
How do people refer to an expressway in China?
The Chinese term is 高速公路 (gāosù gōnglù), usually translated as expressway. Urban express roads are also subject to the relevant special traffic rules.
🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Law Article 67; Regulations 78–83 and 85–86
🔗 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
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.
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.
What speed limit applies to cars on an expressway in China?
For an ordinary passenger car, the national expressway maximum is 120 km/h. Lower posted limits must be followed. Other vehicles and motorcycles have different limits, and lane-specific minimum speeds also apply.
🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Law Article 67; Regulations 78–83 and 85–86
🔗 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
Is there a minimum driving speed on a Chinese expressway?
The national rules set a general minimum of 60 km/h. Higher minimum speeds apply in specified left and middle lanes according to the number of lanes. Follow lane signs and slow down when traffic or safety conditions require it.
🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Law Article 67; Regulations 78–83 and 85–86
🔗 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
What should I do if I miss an expressway exit in China?
Continue to the next exit. The expressway rules prohibit reversing, driving against traffic, crossing the central divider to turn around and stopping in a traffic lane. Do not use the emergency lane for a non-emergency stop.
🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Law Article 67; Regulations 78–83 and 85–86
🔗 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
