Driving Differences: Samoa vs. Taiwan Explained
Discover the unique road rules and regulations that set Samoa and Taiwan apart in our comprehensive driving comparison. With contrasting practices such as driving sides, speed limits, and alcohol thresholds, ensuring your safety abroad takes on new dimensions. Explore these essential variations to navigate each country's roads with confidence and awareness.
Lanes
| Samoa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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 | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | 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. |
Driving Side
samoa:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 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
samoa:
25-40 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Samoa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Turns
| Samoa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
samoa:
Not allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Samoa | 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 | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less 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: Cultural Norm
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Samoa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during holidays |
| 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
samoa:
0.08%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Samoa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
taiwan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Samoa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Contact: General Emergency
samoa:
911
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$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 | ST$100 to ST$200 | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately