Driving in Taiwan vs Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Taiwan and Turkey, drivers must be aware of distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and emergency protocols, all of which impact overall road safety. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Taiwan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
turkey:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
turkey:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Taiwan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Taiwan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Taiwan | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Mandarin; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Taiwan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Taiwan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
taiwan:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
taiwan:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Taiwan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in busy areas | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Taiwan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines imposed | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Taiwan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by district; inquire locally | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available via insurance or specialized companies | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
taiwan:
119
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Taiwan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Steep fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | NT$1,500, points in some cases | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NT$2,700, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges