Driving Differences: Dominican Republic vs. Taiwan
When comparing the driving landscapes of the Dominican Republic and Taiwan, distinct contrasts emerge that can significantly impact road safety. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol regulations and emergency contacts, understanding these variations is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad. Discover how these two nations prioritize their road etiquette and regulations.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | 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. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 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 | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
taiwan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Dominican republic | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Taiwan |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
taiwan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Turns
| Dominican republic | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Dominican republic | 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 | Yes, annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
taiwan:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | 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 | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay