Driving in Austria vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Explained
When venturing into Austria or Taiwan, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance levels. While Austria emphasizes strict adherence to speed controls, Taiwan's unique traffic signals and turning practices demand attention. Elevate your road awareness with this insightful comparison!
Lanes
| Austria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
austria:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 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 | 70-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Austria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Taiwan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
taiwan:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Austria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Austria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Austria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay