Driving in South Africa vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the unique regulations of South Africa and Taiwan can significantly enhance your travel experience. While South Africa drives on the left, Taiwan adheres to right-hand driving. Speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations vary notably, emphasizing the importance of understanding these distinctions for a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| South africa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless turning. | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. | 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
south africa:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
taiwan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
south africa:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south africa:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| South africa | 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 | 100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 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, common in South Africa | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
south africa:
40-60 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south africa:
40 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| South africa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| South africa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
south africa:
Not allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| South africa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south africa:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| South africa | 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
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| South africa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and additional fines | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
south africa:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
south africa:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| South africa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
taiwan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| South africa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south africa:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | 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 | Common fine; mandatory use | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay