Driving in Colombia vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Explored
When exploring the roads of Colombia and Taiwan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experiences. Key variations include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions. Understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Colombia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
colombia:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 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 | 90-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Colombia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Turns
| Colombia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Colombia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, 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 $150, points on license | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately