Driving in Saudi Arabia vs. Taiwan: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Saudi Arabia and Taiwan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices. Key disparities include the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes in Taiwan, while Saudi Arabia enforces stricter alcohol limits. This comparison underscores the importance of understanding local traffic norms to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Saudi arabia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | 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. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Saudi arabia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120-140 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Saudi arabia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Saudi Arabia | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Turns
| Saudi arabia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Saudi arabia | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection | 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
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Saudi arabia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use for communication on the road | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Saudi arabia | 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, random checkpoints are used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; possible imprisonment | Heavy fines imposed |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Frequent for offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Enforcement: Imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
taiwan:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Saudi arabia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 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
saudi arabia:
999
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
saudi arabia:
993
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Saudi arabia | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, imprisonment | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately