Driving in Portugal vs Taiwan: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Portugal and Taiwan, it's essential to understand their distinct regulations and road norms. Key differences arise in lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol consumption laws. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your travel experience and ensure a safer journey in both nations.
Lanes
| Portugal | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
portugal:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | 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 | 70 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
portugal:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
portugal:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
portugal:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
90 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Portugal | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Portugal | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
portugal:
Prohibited
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Portugal | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the 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
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Portugal | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Portugal | 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: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
portugal:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | 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
portugal:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, 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 | €120 to €600 | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately