Driving in Taiwan: licences, car hire and road rules

Take high-speed rail between cities, and hire a car only for the east coast, the central mountains or Kenting. You can drive only if your country, or US state, has a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan: check the list before you book.

Can you drive on your licence?

Your country is on the reciprocal list (opens in a new tab), and you’re staying 30 days or less: drive on your International Driving Permit, with your home licence.Taipei City Motor Vehicles Office (opens in a new tab)tpcmv.thb.gov.tw
On the list, staying longer: register your permit at a Motor Vehicles Office. Registration lasts up to a year, or until the permit or your residence permit expires.
Not on the list: your permit isn’t valid in Taiwan. Use trains, buses and tours.
Riding a scooter: your permit must cover motorcycles.

Where are you going?

City to city: take high-speed rail. Taipei to Kaohsiung (Zuoying) takes about 90 minutes.Tourism Administration (opens in a new tab)eng.taiwan.net.tw See Taiwan trains and transit cards.
The east coast, the central mountains or Kenting: hire a car. Trains and buses are sparse there.

If it doesn’t go to plan

Permit not valid in Taiwan, or only a debit card? You can’t hire a car. Take the bus instead: bus 310 from Hualien for Taroko Gorge, or buses 7322 and 7329 from Chiayi for Alishan.

Hiring a car

From Chailease Car Plus (opens in a new tab), one of Taiwan’s largest hire firms:

Age: 18 or over. Some models need you to be 25 for the damage waiver.
Bring your passport and your original International Driving Permit.
Pay by Visa or Mastercard credit card, valid for six months or more. Debit cards, UnionPay and Amex aren’t accepted.
Hire at a branch. Car-sharing apps don’t accept foreign visitors.

Fines to know

All from the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (opens in a new tab).

Rule	Fine
Drink driving: breath alcohol over 0.15 mg/L	NT$30,000 to NT$120,000 (car); NT$15,000 to NT$90,000 (scooter); vehicle impounded; licence suspended
Refusing a breath test	NT$180,000
Turning right on a red light	NT$600 to NT$1,800
Speeding	NT$1,200 to NT$2,400; more than 40 km/h over: NT$6,000 to NT$36,000 and a driving ban
No helmet on a scooter	NT$500

Don’t drink and drive at all. Breath alcohol of 0.25 mg/L or more is a crime, with up to three years in prison.Ministry of Transportation (opens in a new tab)168.motc.gov.tw
Don’t turn right on red unless a sign or green arrow allows it.
Watch for speed camera signs, 100 to 300 metres ahead of each camera.

If you’re riding a scooter

Make two-stage left turns where signs show it: cross to the waiting box on the far side of the junction, turn to face your new direction, and go on the next green.road sign rules (opens in a new tab)law.moj.gov.tw
Wear a helmet, rider and passenger.