Driving in Afghanistan vs. Taiwan: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Afghanistan and Taiwan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact vehicular navigation and road safety. From varying lane markings and speed limits to unique penalties for violations, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in either locale. Explore the essential contrasts to enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Afghanistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay