Officially named as the Republic of China, Taiwan is an island nation located in East Asia, off the southeastern coast of China, separated by the Taiwan Strait. The country features a mix of rugged mountains in the east and plains in the west, where most of the population lives, and it is known for its advanced economy — especially in high-tech industries such as semiconductors, electronics, and precision manufacturing. Culturally, Taiwan blends influences from traditional Chinese heritage, Indigenous Austronesian cultures, and modern global trends. It is also known for its vibrant night markets, rich cuisine, and democratic political system.
Its capital, Taipei, is located in northern Taiwan. It is the political, economic, and cultural centre of the country, known for: landmarks like Taipei 101 (the world's tallest building from 2004 to 2009), the Shilin Night Market, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Longshan Temple, advanced public transportation (the MRT system), and a strong start up in technology and innovation. Taipei is also recognized for its mix of traditional and contemporary lifestyles, clean urban design, and accessibility to nearby mountains and hot springs.
UTC+8.
Earthquakes, typhoons, floods, landslides, and debris flows.
In Taiwan, many traffic violations carry penalty points under Taiwan’s system. Accumulating 12 points or more within 12 months will result in licence suspension. Some minor violations do not incur points if they’re below about NT$1,200 and the driver isn’t stopped directly by police. Common traffic violations include:
Additionally; Taiwan has many speed and red‑light cameras, where fines are issued by mail and most rental companies pass fines on to you, and on-the-spot fines are common and you’ll be told where and how to pay them.
Other offences include:
The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin (Standard Chinese), but Taiwanese Hokkien (Minnan), Hakka, Japanese and English are also spoken.
In Taiwan, vehicles drive on the right side of the road. The minimum age to drive is 18, while the minimum renting age is 20, with rentals requiring drivers to have held their licence for at least one year. Some companies may only accept renters at least 21, and/or potentially charge extra for drivers under 25 or over 65. UK drivers need a 1949 International Driving Permit (IDP) with their UK licence to drive in Taiwan, especially for stays over 30 days.
Roads across Taiwan are generally marked, well-paved and maintained. However, heavy traffic is common in urban roads, with scooters and motorbikes often weave between lanes — be careful at intersections. In addition; rural roads can be narrow with sharp turns and faded or minimal signage, mountain roads can be steep and challenging with strong winds, fog and landslides, and some coastal scenic roads can become effected during high-tides and heavy rain. Taiwanese road signs might be unfamiliar, so consider familiarising yourself with local sign conventions to avoid confusion.
Many highways use an electronic toll system (ETC/Etag) where rental cars usually come equipped and tolls are charged to your bill, and parking in cities can be expensive and sometimes hard to find. So, use apps or park outside city centres and take transit in.
Petrol (92, 25, 98 RON) and diesel are the most common in Taiwanese stations, where EV charging stations are growing, mainly in cities and tourist areas. Most fuel stations in Taiwan are full-service, where others are self-service (though non-common). Cash and card are widely accepted, but some rural stations may not accept cards. Keep fuel receipts as some rental companies require proof of refuelling before you return the rental.
In cities, fuel stations are everywhere, often near main roads and intersections. Most stations are well-marked and evenly spaced along highways, and stations in expressways are 20 - 40 km apart from each other, often with small convenience stores, restrooms, vending machines and/or restaurants. Plan refuelling every 100–200 km, especially if heading to rural or mountainous areas where stations are sparse.
The BAC limit is 0.03%, but 0.00% for professional drivers.
Mandatory for all occupants.
Children under 12 must ride in the back seat. Children 0 - 2 years old (or under 10kg) must be in a rear-facing seat or infant carrier, children 2 - 4 years (or under 18kg) must be in a forward-facing child safety seat, and children over 4 years (or over 18kg) are recommended to be in a booster seat.
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