Driving in Pakistan vs. Taiwan: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Pakistan and Taiwan, understanding the distinct driving regulations is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Key contrasts include the driving side—left in Pakistan versus right in Taiwan—and varying speed limits. With unique traffic protocols and vehicle etiquette in each nation, this comparison highlights crucial information for safe travels abroad.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | 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: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | 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. |
Driving Side
pakistan:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
taiwan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Pakistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Taiwan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Urdu; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
taiwan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Pakistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | 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
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Pakistan | 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 | Varies by province; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
taiwan:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | 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 | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay