Driving in China vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the nuances of vehicular regulations between China and Taiwan reveals significant contrasts that every traveler should understand. From lane usage and speed restrictions to alcohol limits and penalties, this comparison highlights crucial aspects that can impact road safety. Stay informed to navigate these unique driving landscapes with confidence.
Lanes
| China | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
taiwan:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
taiwan:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Speeds Limits
| China | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| China | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Taiwan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| China | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
taiwan:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Frequent use in busy areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| China | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
taiwan:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, 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 | ¥50 to ¥200 | 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 | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay