Driving in Brazil vs. Taiwan: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Brazil and Taiwan, drivers encounter distinct regulations that shape their travel experience. Key contrasts include overtaking rules and speed limits, with Brazil allowing right-side overtaking and Taiwan enforcing stricter limits. Understanding these variances not only enhances road awareness but also promotes safer journeys abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
brazil:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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 | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Brazil | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Turns
| Brazil | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Brazil | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Brazil | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 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 | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay