Driving in Egypt vs. Taiwan: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the roads of Egypt and Taiwan reveals striking contrasts in traffic regulations and driving customs. From lane designations and speed limits to horn usage and penalties, understanding these distinctions is essential for safe navigation in either nation. Discover how these countries prioritize road safety and adapt their driving practices to unique cultural contexts.
Lanes
| Egypt | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | 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 | Fixed speed limits. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
egypt:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
egypt:
40-60 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Egypt | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not used in Taiwan |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines can occur for excessive misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal other drivers or warn of presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not officially regulated | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some situations due to high traffic density | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
taiwan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
taiwan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
taiwan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
taiwan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
taiwan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Egypt | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Egypt | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Egyptian driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
taiwan:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Common in high traffic areas | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, though not always observed | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and allow passage | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
taiwan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
taiwan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
taiwan:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
egypt:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 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
egypt:
122
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay