Driving Differences: India vs Taiwan Explained
When navigating the roads of India and Taiwan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence travel safety. Key variations include driving sides, speed limits, and lane usage. Understanding these contrasts will enhance your driving experience and ensure a secure journey in both countries.
Lanes
| India | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| 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 | 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. |
Driving Side
india:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
india:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
india:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| India | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 60-70 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 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 | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
taiwan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| India | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in Taiwan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
india:
Not used in India
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
taiwan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| India | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
taiwan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| India | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| India | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
taiwan:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
taiwan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
india:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| India | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
taiwan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
taiwan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Contact: General Emergency
india:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Penalties And Fines
| India | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 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 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | 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
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay