Driving Insights: Spain vs. Taiwan Safety Comparisons
When embarking on a journey from Spain to Taiwan, understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for a safe trip. Key distinctions include lane usage rules, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions. While overtaking is limited in Spain, Taiwan permits it under specific conditions, highlighting the unique driving cultures of each country.
Lanes
| Spain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. | 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' or 'TAXI'; 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: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
Overtaking: On Right
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Speeds Limits
| Spain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 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 | Yes, commonly used | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
spain:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
spain:
20-30 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
spain:
80-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
70-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
spain:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
90 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
spain:
Yes, commonly used
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Spain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Spain | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with white background and red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
spain:
Not used in Spain
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Spain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Spain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must carry license. | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required. | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield in some areas. | 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory.
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory.
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Spain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Used more frequently in urgent situations | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Spain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe penalties, including high fines | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
spain:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Spain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check with local authorities | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or RACE | 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
spain:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
spain:
Check with local authorities
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Spain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and potential imprisonment | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €200, mandatory use | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €200, points on license | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €200, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; discount if paid promptly. | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
spain:
€200, mandatory use
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
spain:
€200, points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
spain:
€200, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately