Driving in Taiwan vs Thailand: Key Differences Explained
When venturing to Taiwan or Thailand, understanding their unique road regulations is essential for driving safely. Key distinctions include Taiwan's right-side driving and strict rules on overtaking, contrasted with Thailand's left-side etiquette. From speed limits to traffic signals, each nation has its own set of guidelines, making this comparison vital for secure navigation abroad.
Lanes
| Taiwan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
taiwan:
Right
thailand:
Left
Overtaking: On Right
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
thailand:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Taiwan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
taiwan:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Taiwan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Taiwan | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Mandarin; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Taiwan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Taiwan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Road Etiquette
| Taiwan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in busy areas | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Taiwan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines imposed | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
thailand:
0.05%
Enforcement: Fines
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Taiwan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
taiwan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
taiwan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Taiwan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by district; inquire locally | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available via insurance or specialized companies | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
Contact: General Emergency
taiwan:
119
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Penalties And Fines
| Taiwan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Steep fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | NT$1,500, points in some cases | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NT$2,700, points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days