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Driving Differences: Sweden vs Taiwan Explained

When exploring the unique road rules of Sweden and Taiwan, you'll discover fascinating contrasts in regulations and practices. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and emergency protocols, this comparison highlights crucial distinctions that can enhance your travel safety abroad. Understanding these variances is essential for a secure driving experience in both nations.

Lanes

Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
taiwan:
No crossing in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
sweden:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
sweden:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times

Speeds Limits

Urban Areas: Standard
sweden:
30-50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
70-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sweden:
70-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sweden:
70-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
90-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot

Signals

Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
sweden:
Yellow
taiwan:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
taiwan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
taiwan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
taiwan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
taiwan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
taiwan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
taiwan:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
taiwan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
taiwan:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background

Turns

Right Turn On Red
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
taiwan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
taiwan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Special Turn Lanes
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
taiwan:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
sweden:
Prohibited.
taiwan:
Prohibited

Documentation

Driver's License: Requirement
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
taiwan:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Insurance
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
taiwan:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
taiwan:
Not mandatory

Road Etiquette

Flashing Lights: Usage
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
taiwan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
taiwan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
taiwan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
taiwan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
taiwan:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Pedestrians Priority
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
taiwan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
taiwan:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights

Alcohol

Limits: General Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
taiwan:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
taiwan:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Enforcement: Imprisonment
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
taiwan:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine

Roundabouts

Priority: Entering
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
taiwan:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
taiwan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
taiwan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
taiwan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
taiwan:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
taiwan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe

Emergency Services

Contact: General Emergency
sweden:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended

Penalties And Fines

Common Fines: Speeding
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
taiwan:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.
taiwan:
Possible if fines are not paid