Driving in Taiwan vs. Uganda: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Taiwan and Uganda. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol restrictions and emergency protocols, each country presents unique challenges and norms for motorists. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe and smooth journey while navigating foreign roads.
Lanes
| Taiwan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks division of opposing traffic lanes. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed |
| 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: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. | Primarily for bicycles where available. |
| 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 | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
Driving Side
taiwan:
Right
uganda:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uganda:
Marks division of opposing traffic lanes.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
uganda:
Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
uganda:
Not allowed
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
uganda:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
uganda:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
uganda:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
uganda:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
uganda:
Primarily for bicycles where available.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
uganda:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
uganda:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
uganda:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Speeds Limits
| Taiwan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 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 | 80 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 | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Common; often enforced by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
uganda:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
uganda:
Common; often enforced by traffic police
Signals
| Taiwan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Taiwan | Not used in Uganda |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Mandarin; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
uganda:
Not used in Uganda
Traffic Signs: Language
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
uganda:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
uganda:
Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary
Turns
| Taiwan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them | Allowed where not prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
uganda:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
uganda:
Allowed where not prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Taiwan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
uganda:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
uganda:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
taiwan:
Not mandatory
uganda:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Taiwan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in busy areas | Frequent use in certain situations |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
uganda:
Frequent use in certain situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
uganda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Taiwan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Implemented with checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines imposed | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
uganda:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
uganda:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
uganda:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
uganda:
Implemented with checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
uganda:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
uganda:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Taiwan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by district; inquire locally | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available via insurance or specialized companies | Available through local providers or insurance companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
taiwan:
119
uganda:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
uganda:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
uganda:
Available through local providers or insurance companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uganda:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Taiwan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Steep fines, possible license suspension | Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | NT$1,500, points in some cases | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license | Fines and potential license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NT$2,700, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately | Common in some cases |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket |
Common Fines: Speeding
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
uganda:
Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
uganda:
Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
uganda:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
uganda:
Fines and potential license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
uganda:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
uganda:
Common in some cases
Payment: Deadline
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uganda:
Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket