Driving in Canada vs. Taiwan: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations as we compare Canada and Taiwan. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol consumption laws, each country presents distinct driving norms. Whether you're navigating bus lanes or understanding emergency contacts, grasping these key differences will significantly enhance your travel safety and confidence on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Canada | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS' | 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 often green paint. | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
canada:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
canada:
May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
canada:
Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
canada:
Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
canada:
May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS'
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
canada:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
canada:
Bicycle symbols and often green paint.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
canada:
Minimum two occupants
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Speeds Limits
| Canada | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-110 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but varies by province | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
canada:
40 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
canada:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
canada:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
90-110 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
canada:
Yes, but varies by province
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Canada | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Canada | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
canada:
Not used in Canada
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
canada:
Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Turns
| Canada | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by province and locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
canada:
Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign.
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
canada:
Varies by province and locality; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Canada | 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 |
| Insurance | Mandatory liability insurance | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| 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
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Insurance
canada:
Mandatory liability insurance
taiwan:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
canada:
Varies by province; proof may be required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
canada:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Canada | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
canada:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Canada | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%, zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by province; can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
canada:
0.08%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
canada:
0.04%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
canada:
0.00%, zero tolerance
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
canada:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
canada:
Varies by province; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
canada:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Canada | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Depends on province; often 911 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or CAA | 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
canada:
911
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
canada:
Depends on province; often 911
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
canada:
Check with your insurance provider or CAA
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Canada | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit | 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 | Varies; often upwards of $200 | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
canada:
Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
canada:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
canada:
Varies; often upwards of $200
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
canada:
Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
canada:
Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
canada:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately