Driving Differences: Taiwan vs. Trinidad and Tobago
When exploring the unique road rules of Taiwan and Trinidad and Tobago, drivers will encounter distinct regulations that influence their travel experience. Highlighted differences include driving sides, speed limits, and lane usage, each contributing to the overall safety and enjoyment of navigating these diverse landscapes. Understanding these nuances is crucial for any traveler on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Taiwan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| 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 taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. | N/A |
| 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
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
taiwan:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Taiwan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 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 | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Taiwan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Taiwan | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Mandarin; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
taiwan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Taiwan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Taiwan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
taiwan:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
taiwan:
Not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Taiwan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in busy areas | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
taiwan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Taiwan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines imposed | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
trinidad and tobago:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Taiwan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by district; inquire locally | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available via insurance or specialized companies | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
taiwan:
119
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Taiwan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Steep fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | NT$1,500, points in some cases | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NT$2,700, points on license | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days