Driving in Kuwait vs. Taiwan: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Kuwait and Taiwan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and cultural practices that influence their travel experiences. Key disparities include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol consumption thresholds. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safer and more enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Kuwait | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | 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 | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
N/A
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kuwait:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kuwait:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Kuwait | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Kuwait | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless signs allow | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Kuwait | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Kuwait | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Kuwait | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | Heavy fines imposed |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kuwait:
Less common
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
taiwan:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
kuwait:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Contact: General Emergency
kuwait:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
kuwait:
112
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay