Wrong-way drivingChina

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.


25. Wrong-way driving

Wrong-way driving occurs when a driver travels against the legally permitted direction of traffic. It may happen on a one-way road, divided road, motorway entrance or exit, or another road section reserved for traffic travelling in one direction.

Wrong-way driving creates an extreme risk of a head-on collision. Drivers must follow direction signs, no-entry signs, lane arrows and road markings. Anyone who accidentally enters a road in the wrong direction should slow down, warn other traffic, stop in the safest available place and contact the emergency services.

Wrong-way driving
Scooters beside a no-entry traffic sign. (Hangzhou, China)
Wikimedia.org • Hermann_Luyken • CC0
How can you avoid driving the wrong way in mainland China?

Traffic normally keeps right here. Keep to the correct side of the road and use no-entry and one-way signs to identify prohibited approaches; do not enter an exit ramp against its permitted direction.

🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Law Articles 35–48; Regulations 38–53 and 63, actual controls and safe movement

🔗 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

What signs can prevent wrong-way driving in mainland China?

Read no-entry signs, one-way signs, lane arrows and temporary directions together; a wide road is not automatically two-way. Before entering a motorway, expressway, one-way street or slip road, check the permitted direction rather than relying only on a navigation app.

🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Law Articles 35–48; Regulations 38–53 and 63, actual controls and safe movement

🔗 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

What should you do if you enter a road against traffic in mainland China?

Do not continue along the wrong-way lane or try to reverse or make a U-turn across a high-speed road. Reduce speed, warn other traffic if safe, get to a protected stopping place away from moving traffic when possible and contact the police or road operator for assistance.

🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Law Articles 35–48; Regulations 38–53 and 63, actual controls and safe movement

🔗 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

1 China 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Speed limit 6 Footpath 7 Bike path 8 Tunnel 9 Toll road 10 Slope 11 Bus lane 12 Bus stop 13 Stop sign 14 Give way 15 Roundabout 16 Road narrowing 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 Mandatory direction 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Rockfall 23 Curve 24 Chevron 25 Wrong-way driving 26 Roadworks 27 Crosswind 28 Height limit 29 Weight limit 30 Radar speed sign 31 Priority at the next junction 32 Traffic lights 33 Traffic lights warning 34 Pedestrian lights 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Traffic mirror 38 Parking 39 No parking 40 No stopping 41 Disabled parking 42 Reversing 43 U-turn 44 Uncontrolled crossroad 45 Provisional licence 46 Emergency exit 47 Runaway truck ramp 48 Horn 49 Axle weight limit 50 Charging station 51 Pedestrian 52 Motorcycle 53 Car 54 Truck 55 Bus 56 Police 57 Ambulance 58 Taxi 59 Police signals 60 Pothole 61 Path 62 Particulates 63 Air pollution 64 Rush hour 65 Road code 66 Street gutter 67 Cargo bike 68 Forestry vehicle 69 Construction vehicle 70 Semi-trailer truck 71 Trolleybus 72 Speed pedelec 73 Delivery vehicle 74 Idling 75 Tow truck 76 Four-wheel drive 77 Bicycle 78 Motorcycle equipment 79 Rail track 80 Caravan 81 Trailer 82 Tow hitch 83 Fire truck 84 Siren 85 Convoy 86 Emergency vehicle lighting 87 Agricultural machinery 88 Electric bicycle 89 Electric vehicle 90 Pedelec 91 Quadricycle 92 Microcar 93 All-terrain vehicle 94 Van 95 Recreational vehicle 96 Scooter 97 Trikke 98 Personal mobility device 99 Skateboard 100 Segway ...