China Traffic Law Overhaul: E-Bike Limits, Blind Driving Ban

China’s legislature has begun reviewing a comprehensive revision of the country’s Road Traffic Safety Law, marking the first major overhaul of the 2004 statute and introducing landmark provisions on autonomous vehicles, electric bicycle speed limits, and a new ban on “blind driving.”

The draft amendment was submitted for first review on August 25 at the 24th session of the 14th National People’s Congress Standing Committee, according to Xinhua News. The proposal spans nine chapters and 170 articles, addressing everything from emerging autonomous driving technology to long-standing urban governance challenges.

A Law Catching Up with Two Decades of Change

The current Road Traffic Safety Law has been in effect since 2004, with only piecemeal amendments in 2007, 2011, and 2021. The scale of change since then has been dramatic: as of June 2026, China had 476 million motor vehicles and 567 million licensed drivers, according to Xinhua’s reporting.

“As the times surge forward, the traffic and pedestrian flows on roads grow ever more magnificent,” Xinhua noted in its coverage of the draft’s submission.

The State Council discussed and approved the draft in principle at a June 11 executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Qiang, according to official records. The meeting emphasized the need to “further improve the level of road traffic safety governance” and “actively and steadily respond to new types of safety risks.”

Autonomous Driving Enters the Legal Framework

One of the most significant additions is a new chapter on “Special Provisions for Autonomous Driving Vehicles.” The draft defines autonomous driving vehicles and assisted driving functions, and establishes that when a traffic violation occurs while autonomous driving functions are activated, the vehicle’s manufacturer or importer will be responsible for handling the violation, as Jiemian News reported.

Vehicles with autonomous driving capabilities that are not operating in autonomous mode, as well as vehicles with only assisted driving functions, will be managed under existing rules for non-autonomous vehicles.

The draft also requires autonomous vehicle manufacturers and importers to ensure road safety, cybersecurity, and data security, and prohibits false or exaggerated advertising of autonomous driving capabilities. A compulsory motor vehicle traffic accident liability insurance system for autonomous driving vehicles will be established, with specific measures to be formulated by the State Council.

These provisions come as robotaxis become increasingly visible on Chinese city streets and new energy vehicles feature ever more advanced driver assistance systems, signaling Beijing’s intent to position itself as a global leader in autonomous driving technology.

Cracking Down on “Blind Driving”

The draft explicitly bans “blind driving” — the practice of using handheld phones or watching videos while driving. Under the proposal, drivers who engage in such behavior and cause traffic accidents or other serious consequences face fines of 200 to 500 yuan and possible three-month suspension of their driver’s licenses, as IT Home detailed.

“Scrolling videos at the steering wheel, answering calls on the highway… A seemingly ‘convenient’ few seconds can plunge a family into the abyss in an instant,” Xinhua wrote, underscoring the urgency behind the new provisions.

Electric Bicycles: Faster Limits, Mandatory Helmets

The draft proposes raising the maximum speed limit for electric bicycles in non-motorized lanes from 15 km/h to 20 km/h, reflecting improvements in e-bike technology and safety features. At the same time, it mandates that both riders and passengers wear safety helmets, a measure that follows a similar regulation implemented in Beijing in May 2026.

The proposal also prohibits e-bike riders from riding in reverse, speeding, running red lights, or using handheld phones while riding, according to CRI Online.

Addressing Urban Governance Challenges

The draft takes aim at several long-standing urban problems. It prohibits parking abandoned motor vehicles — colloquially known as “zombie cars” — on roads, and bans the production, import, and sale of vehicles that do not meet mandatory national standards, targeting so-called “over-standard” modified e-bikes.

The proposal also regulates “walking groups” (暴走团), large groups of people who conduct group exercise on roadways, by requiring that no unit or individual may occupy roads for non-traffic activities without permission.

Additionally, the draft strengthens governance of drunk driving, drug driving, and street racing, and includes convenience measures such as allowing vehicles with electronic driving certificates to travel without physical documents.

What’s Next

The NPC Standing Committee session, running from August 25 to 28 in Beijing, will conduct the first review of the draft. The legislation is expected to undergo further revisions during the review process before a final vote.

Key questions remain: How will the 20 km/h e-bike limit be enforced given that many current electric bicycles can exceed this speed? What specific insurance measures will the State Council formulate for autonomous vehicles? And what transitional arrangements will be made for existing vehicles that don’t meet the new standards?

As Xinhua put it: “Among ten thousand roads, safety comes first. Revising the Road Traffic Safety Law uses the rule of law to protect every road traffic participant, letting safety accompany every departure and arrival.”