Driving in Myanmar vs. Taiwan: Key Safety Differences
Explore the unique road practices of Myanmar and Taiwan in our driving comparison. Notable distinctions include lane usage, speed regulations, and alcohol limits, with Taiwan emphasizing stricter enforcement and marked lanes for cyclists. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and informed experience behind the wheel in either country.
Lanes
| Myanmar | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtaking is on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. | 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: Usage | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. | 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
taiwan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
myanmar:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
myanmar:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
myanmar:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
myanmar:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
myanmar:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
myanmar:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
myanmar:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Myanmar | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80-90 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
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
myanmar:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
myanmar:
60 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
50 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
myanmar:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
myanmar:
80 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
70 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
myanmar:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
myanmar:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
myanmar:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Myanmar | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Myanmar | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Burmese; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Myanmar | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless permitted by signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Myanmar | 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Myanmar | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use, more common in cities | Frequent use in busy areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Myanmar | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; often during festivals | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity; can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can lead to arrest and fines | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
myanmar:
0.07%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
myanmar:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Myanmar | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 199 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through some insurance providers | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
myanmar:
199
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
myanmar:
Contact local police
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Myanmar | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots | 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 | Fine enforced; mandatory use | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for usage while driving | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied for violations | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; else must be paid at office | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
myanmar:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately