Driving Differences: Israel vs. Taiwan Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. This comparison between Israel and Taiwan reveals significant contrasts, such as overtaking rules, speed limits, and traffic signal usage. By familiarizing yourself with these variations, you can navigate the roads confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Israel | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
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
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
israel:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Israel | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Taiwan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Israel | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Israel | 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 may be required | 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 | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Israel | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
israel:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Israel | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately