Driving in the Bahamas vs. Taiwan: Key Differences
Explore the driving landscape of the Bahamas and Taiwan, where distinct regulations and road customs shape the experience behind the wheel. Key contrasts include driving sides, overtaking rules, and speed limits, which can significantly impact your safety and navigation abroad. Stay informed to ensure a smooth journey in these diverse regions.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | 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. |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | 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 | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
taiwan:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bahamas | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bahamas | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Bahamas | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
bahamas:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
taiwan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, 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 | $25 to $200, points may apply | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately