Driving in Bhutan vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Bhutan and Taiwan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices. Notable contrasts include driving on the left in Bhutan versus the right in Taiwan, alongside varying speed limits and overtaking rules. Understanding these essential distinctions can significantly enhance road safety and ensure a smoother journey in each country.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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 | 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. |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80-90 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 | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bhutan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bhutan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Bhutan | 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 | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | 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
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | 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 enforced | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay