Driving in Belize vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Belize and Taiwan, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key disparities include the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes in Taiwan, variable speed limits, and stricter alcohol consumption laws. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures a smoother and more secure travel experience abroad.
Lanes
| Belize | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belize:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belize:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 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: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
taiwan:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belize:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Belize | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belize:
Not used in Belize
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
belize:
English; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Turns
| Belize | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Belize | 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 | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belize | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Belize | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | 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
belize:
0.08%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
belize:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Belize | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Contact: General Emergency
belize:
911
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | 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 for non-compliance | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
belize:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately