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Q: What's driving in China like?
I think we're all aware of what Chinese drivers are like over in countries with standardized traffic laws that have cops every half a mile waiting to bust you or screw you over for that matter. A.K.A., they're money makers! But what about China? I am a bigger guy and I have done some reading about subways over there. I can tell its gonna be a blast if anybody gives me trouble there. But I don't think the subway is gonna magically put me off everywhere I want to go so I'm thinking about renting a car for holiday weekends out when I stay there for the long term.
That's going to require a Chinese license which I'm wondering is worth the effort of getting.
Imagine driving bumper cars on an F1 track completely blindfolded.
What you think of western driving is completely opposite here:
- in the west, whomever hits another vehicle from behind is automatically at fault; here, whomever has the cheaper vehicle (including pedestrians) is at fault.
- in the west, you learn to master parallel parking and the 3-point turn; here, you still back into a space that you can drive an aircraft carrier straight into. A 35-point turn still doesn't get you doing a 180 (think of Austin Powers and the steam-roller)
- in the west, you gradually learn to handle faster and more powerful vehicles; here, you can barely ride a bicycle the previous year and be driving a 3/4 ton SUV (Porche Cayenne) the next - despite being 30 kgs and 1.5 meter tall.
- in the west, you slow down in school zones and crawl along in apprehension of a rug-rat darting into traffic; here, you try to get from 0 to 150 even if on the sidewalk. Should a rug-rat dart into your path, back over until dead, claim your lineage, and throw money out the window to the elated parents (if it was a girl) or bargain with the somewhat saddened parents if it was a boy.
" I am a bigger guy and I have done some reading about subways over there. I can tell its gonna be a blast if anybody gives me trouble there." Makes no sense and if you think you are bigger than guanxi or mianzi, you're "gonna" be in the hurt locker.
Don't believe me? Go here:
http://beijingcream.com/2012/05/the-basics-of-driving-in-china-a-diagram/
Imagine driving bumper cars on an F1 track completely blindfolded.
What you think of western driving is completely opposite here:
- in the west, whomever hits another vehicle from behind is automatically at fault; here, whomever has the cheaper vehicle (including pedestrians) is at fault.
- in the west, you learn to master parallel parking and the 3-point turn; here, you still back into a space that you can drive an aircraft carrier straight into. A 35-point turn still doesn't get you doing a 180 (think of Austin Powers and the steam-roller)
- in the west, you gradually learn to handle faster and more powerful vehicles; here, you can barely ride a bicycle the previous year and be driving a 3/4 ton SUV (Porche Cayenne) the next - despite being 30 kgs and 1.5 meter tall.
- in the west, you slow down in school zones and crawl along in apprehension of a rug-rat darting into traffic; here, you try to get from 0 to 150 even if on the sidewalk. Should a rug-rat dart into your path, back over until dead, claim your lineage, and throw money out the window to the elated parents (if it was a girl) or bargain with the somewhat saddened parents if it was a boy.
" I am a bigger guy and I have done some reading about subways over there. I can tell its gonna be a blast if anybody gives me trouble there." Makes no sense and if you think you are bigger than guanxi or mianzi, you're "gonna" be in the hurt locker.
Don't believe me? Go here:
http://beijingcream.com/2012/05/the-basics-of-driving-in-china-a-diagram/
"GTA on a 30 day visa"
Great stuff 
The police here are fine. Most traffic fines are done by camera. It's not the money that hurts, it's the points.
Quote: "I can tell its gonna be a blast if anybody gives me trouble there".
Yes well. Erm.... good luck with that. There is a thing here called "administivite detention". No courts involved. No newspaper reports.
Quote: " I am a bigger guy". That could turn out uncomfortable. Facilities provided by the Government might be a little cramped for you.
But seriously, assuming you are asking a genuine question while trying to inject a little humour, this question has been answered loads of time. Use the search function above and your answer is there.
Have fun with your blast 
I have been driving in China now for about 4 years and let me tell you. They suck.
Well, they have gotten better with stopping at red lights (because of cameras) and not using their horns QUITE as much.. but they still suck overall.
Some of the things Chinese do when driving :
- don't use their turning signals
- have their turning signals constantly going while driving
- honk their horn for generally no reason (just to announce they are there)
- cut each other off CONSTANTLY
- drive the wrong way on the wrong side of the road
- park on the sidewalks
- park and box others completely in...
- blare their horns are anything smaller in their way (even if that thing can't move)
- cut across multiple lanes for highway exits or on-ramp entries
- drive as fast as they can through puddles to splash everyone
- block traffic during rush hour for whatever reason... (cause they want to pull a U-turn or something...
- taxis cut off anyone for a fare and drive like they are losing a Nascar race
- buses drive like they are going to plow everyone off the road (both honk constantly obnoxiously)
- people in luxury sedans or SUVs think every should move for them and usually drive the worst of all
- people on ebikes and motorcycles drive like they have a death wish cutting through lights and most don't wear helmets (cause they are too cool or something)
----
That's about it. In short, they all drive like they think they are the only ones on the road in a country with 1.3 billion. Nice right? 
Robk:
@Ness - I prefer to drive my motorcycle. Driving a car in Chinese traffic just sucks.
With a motorcycle you can go around them during traffic jams, and easily find parking spots. Just have to watch out more and stay off to the side to protect yourself.
Don't forget the pedestrians. They walk out into traffic without even looking. They just assume everyone will brake for them. The same with the drivers at an intersection. They only care about where they want to go. They don't even look to see if their wants are in conflict with someone else's. You can't pay me enough to drive on China's roads.
Also, Lights... at night... in the rain...
Are purely optional.
diverdude1:
but don't forget , when u use them,, gotta be on hi-beam !!
lol... this dude is in for one funny surprise! I just hope he walks away from it.
two things to get used to real quick,,, they are not into the concept of yielding, or checking to see if it's safe/clear before making whatever manoever (I don't know how to spell it) and they claim right away by blaring horn. Soooooo,,,, when u see a 100ton cement truck coming down the road,,, u better learn how to yield to it no matter if you have the right of way or not.
*the fatality rates of PRC roadways will bring a tear to any reasonable persons eye..
http://shanghaiist.com/2015/06/23/bwm-flies-past-red-light-into-car.php
Driving in China is a masterclass in passive/aggressive defensive driving. There is surprisingly little road rage.
I too hope this is some sort of comedy gone wrong "I can tell its gonna be a blast if anybody gives me trouble there" It will be a blast but not in the way you think. If there is the smallest amount of trouble, the police will be there. If a foreigner is involved, what ever happened is 100% YOUR FAULT and you will pay compensation in addition to the legal matters. Nowadays, they do take you to court and with a criminal conviction you get the usual ham, cheese and tomato sandwich - prison, fine and deportation.
I am guessing you will disregard whatever you read in these forums and do your own thing. Enjoy your short stay
Nah, it's cool. Just make the decision to go full Chinese. Head off, pumpkin on and you're right to go.
