Driving in Norway vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Norway and Taiwan, it's essential to understand the distinctive regulations and customs that govern their respective driving environments. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and emergency contacts, this comparison reveals critical contrasts that can significantly impact your travel experience. Stay informed for a safer journey abroad!
Lanes
| Norway | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | 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: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
norway:
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
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Speeds Limits
| Norway | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 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: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
norway:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
norway:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Norway | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Norway | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
norway:
Not allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Norway | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | 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
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
norway:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Norway | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Norway | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
norway:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
norway:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Norway | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | 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
norway:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
norway:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately