Driving Differences: Italy vs. Taiwan Uncovered
Explore the fascinating contrasts in roadway regulations and driving practices between Italy and Taiwan. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and emergency protocols, all of which play a vital role in ensuring safe travels. Understanding these variances will enhance your driving experience and promote safety while navigating unfamiliar roads.
Lanes
| Italy | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
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
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
italy:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Italy | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Italy | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Italy | 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 with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Italy | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Italy | 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 used frequently | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
italy:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
italy:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Italy | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
italy:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | 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 | Varies; fines apply | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay