Driving Differences: Taiwan vs. Vanuatu Safety Tips
When navigating the roads of Taiwan and Vanuatu, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key disparities include the presence of dedicated lanes, varying speed limits, and alcohol tolerance levels. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each unique driving environment.
Lanes
| Taiwan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| 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 | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Taiwan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 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 | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
taiwan:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Taiwan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Taiwan | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Mandarin; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Taiwan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Taiwan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
taiwan:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
taiwan:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Taiwan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Taiwan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines imposed | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Taiwan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by district; inquire locally | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available via insurance or specialized companies | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: General Emergency
taiwan:
119
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| Taiwan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| 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 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NT$2,700, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations