Car rental in Shanghai

In Shanghai, speed limits are strictly monitored by cameras, which are installed on many roads. At the very least, automatic equipment is mandatory for exits and at all city junctions. If the legal speed limit is exceeded, in addition to a monetary fine the driver also receives penalty points. The maximum number of penalty points is 12. If the owner of the car exceeds this limit, they will have to retake the current driving test and undergo retraining.

Speed limits on roads in Shanghai are as follows:

• Outside the city you may drive at up to 120 km/h on motorways, and on other roads at up to 80 km/h.
• If a road runs through a city or village, the maximum permitted speed is 30 km/h.
• On the remaining sections of road you may drive at up to 70 km/h.
• On expressways you are allowed to reach speeds of up to 100 km/h.

• In general, the condition of Chinese roads is quite satisfactory, but you can still find two stretches of completely different quality just a few metres apart. On one you can drive at high speed, on the other you will barely be able to reach 20–25 km/h. Notably, all kinds of transport can be found on urban and suburban routes. Here, compact cars, premium-class vehicles, rickshaws, cyclists and buses all move side by side.
• When driving on the roads of Shanghai you must remain extremely attentive. Local residents may, without hesitation, drive through a red light or ride along lanes intended for cyclists. It is not unusual for them to enter a pedestrian crossing, ignoring a crowd of pedestrians.
• It is desirable for a car rented in Shanghai to be equipped with a road map and a sat-nav. Without such equipment it is quite easy to get lost or take a wrong turning on city roads. It should be borne in mind that there are many one-way streets, which creates additional difficulties.
• Under the traffic regulations it is not permitted to drive if you are wearing slippers on your feet. In addition, if a traffic officer notices that the driver or a passenger is not wearing a seat belt, a fine will be issued for this offence.

The shortage of parking spaces is an ongoing problem in large cities, especially in Chinese cities. On some streets in Shanghai you can leave your car on the roadside, positioning it in the direction of traffic. However, you should not leave the car unattended for a long time. For safety reasons it is best to park in designated parking areas, which are marked by a solid line. When planning a trip it is better to think about car parking in advance. This issue can often be addressed during the car hire booking process.

Traffic violations in Shanghai are assessed on a 12-point scale. If the owner of the car has used some points before the end of the year, the penalty points are cancelled at the beginning of the new year. If all points are used up within 12 months, this may result in the owner of the vehicle having their driving licence withdrawn and being required to retake the test.

• Drink-driving is severely punished: drunk drivers will have to pay a fine of $1000, and this is often accompanied by up to 15 days in detention.
• Speeding or careless driving will result in a fine of 200–300 yuan, roughly equal to $50.

If the driver allows themselves to exceed the speed limit by 2–3 times, they will receive 12 penalty points and lose their licence.