Costa Rica vs. Taiwan: Driving Differences You Should Know
Exploring the road regulations of Costa Rica and Taiwan reveals significant contrasts in transportation norms. While Taiwan boasts dedicated bus and cycle lanes along with variable speed limits, Costa Rica relies on more traditional traffic systems. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safer driving experience abroad.
Lanes
Costa rica | Taiwan | |
---|---|---|
Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | 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 | Limited | Yes |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | 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 | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
Costa rica | Taiwan | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits |
Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
taiwan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
Costa rica | Taiwan | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Taiwan |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
Costa rica | Taiwan | |
---|---|---|
U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
Costa rica | 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 required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Costa rica | Taiwan | |
---|---|---|
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
Costa rica | Taiwan | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common, especially during holidays |
Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Heavy fines imposed |
Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
Costa rica | Taiwan | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Varies by district; inquire locally |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
Costa rica | Taiwan | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | NT$2,700, points on license |
Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately