Guide to Driving In Taiwan - Drive Safe in Taiwan

You will need to have your driving licence, and an international driving licence. It’s also useful to have proof of motor insurance and proof of ownership of the vehicle. 

You have to be at least 18 to be able to drive in Taiwan if driving a locally registered car. If you are hiring a car, you will find that it’s more common to get a driver included in the hire rate. If you are driving a hire car yourself, you will need to be 25 or older otherwise a young driver premium will apply.

Safety camera warning devices are legal in Taiwan but given the traffic congestion there it’s unlikely you’ll need to use it very often. Where you can, it’s still advisable to stick to the speed limits for safety.

On the spot fines are very common for minor traffic offences in Taiwan and are fixed for each offence. You will be told where to pay the fines and within what period of time. For more serious driving offences you’ll receive a court appearance.

In Taiwan, no child under the age of twelve can travel in the front of a car. Children under 12 must be secured in an appropriate seat in the rear of the vehicle. If you are hiring a car, let us know and we’ll ensure that the appropriate seat is fitted before you collect the vehicle. 

A minimum of third party insurance is compulsory in Taiwan although many drivers don’t have it. You may need to prove it to traffic police so carry your certificate with you in the vehicle.

The legal limit for alcohol in the bloodstream of drivers in Taiwan is 50mg per 100ml of blood. Many drivers flout the law but if you are caught, the punishment is severe, including a spell in a Taiwanese jail. 

If you are towing a vehicle in Taiwan you simply need to make sure it’s securely attached and that you have good all round visibility.

Safety cameras are common in Taiwan, both mobile and fixed devices. Being caught by a mobile trap will earn you a fixed penalty ticket, fixed cameras will send the fixed penalty notification to the registered address of the vehicle and if it’s a hire car, the ticket will be forwarded to you.

It’s illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving without a hands-free kit in Taiwan. If caught, you’ll receive a fixed penalty charge.

In Taiwan, traffic lights follow the standard international sequencing pattern. Drivers from countries where it is legal to turn on a red light if the road is clear need to recognise that this procedure is illegal in Taiwan. Many Taiwanese drivers still do it though!

Taiwanese motorways have sections that are subject to tolls. You will be warned that you are approaching a toll gate but after the sign, there are no exits before paying the toll. Toll charges aren’t expensive and mean you’ll often enjoy jam-free driving.