Driving in the Netherlands vs. Taiwan: A Safety Guide
The driving landscapes of the Netherlands and Taiwan reveal fascinating contrasts in road regulations and etiquette. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol consumption thresholds. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring your safety and compliance while navigating the unique traffic systems of each nation.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | 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', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; 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 often distinct red coloring. | 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
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | 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 | 100-130 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Netherlands | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Netherlands | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
taiwan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | 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
netherlands:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | 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 | Fines apply, points on license | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay