Driving Differences: Taiwan vs United Kingdom Explained
When navigating the roads of Taiwan and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter striking contrasts in regulations and practices. From lane usage to speed limits and alcohol thresholds, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance. Explore the unique driving landscapes of both countries to enhance your travel experience and stay secure on the road.
Lanes
| Taiwan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| 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, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times | N/A |
Driving Side
taiwan:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
taiwan:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
taiwan:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
taiwan:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Taiwan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
taiwan:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
taiwan:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Taiwan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Taiwan | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Mandarin; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
taiwan:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Taiwan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
taiwan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
taiwan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Taiwan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Road Etiquette
| Taiwan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in busy areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Taiwan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines imposed | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Taiwan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
taiwan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
taiwan:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Taiwan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by district; inquire locally | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available via insurance or specialized companies | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
taiwan:
119
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| Taiwan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| 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 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NT$2,700, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay