Driving in Latvia vs. Taiwan: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Latvia and Taiwan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. Notable contrasts include lane usage for overtaking, varying speed limits, and alcohol tolerance levels. This comparison sheds light on essential traffic norms, ensuring safer journeys and informed decisions for international motorists.
Lanes
| Latvia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
latvia:
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
latvia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
latvia:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
latvia:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | 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 | 80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
latvia:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
latvia:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Latvia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | Not used in Taiwan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Latvian; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
taiwan:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Latvia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Latvia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | 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 vehicle inspection 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
latvia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
taiwan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Latvia | 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, especially on weekends | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
latvia:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Latvia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
latvia:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
latvia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay