Taiwan (TW)

Urban roads: commonly 30–50 km/h (30 km/h near schools and residential zones). Rural roads: 50–70 km/h. Provincial highways: 70–90 km/h. Expressways and national freeways: 80–110 km/h (variable). Speed cameras are extensive — fixed cameras on freeways, average-speed cameras on mountain roads, and mobile units in urban areas.

Breath alcohol limit: 0.25 mg/L (blood equivalent: 0.05 g/dL). Administrative penalty threshold: 0.25–0.549 mg/L breath — NT$15,000–90,000 fine + 1-year licence suspension. Criminal threshold: 0.55 mg/L or above — criminal DUI charge under the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act: up to 2 years imprisonment and/or NT$100,000 fine; vehicle confiscated on a second offence. Refusing a breathalyser is treated as a 0.55+ mg/L result. Sobriety checkpoints operate routinely on weekends, public holidays, and near entertainment areas.

Using a handheld mobile phone while driving or riding is prohibited. Fine: NT$1,000–3,000 for cars; NT$1,000–2,000 for motorcycles. Hands-free devices are permitted. Enforcement is camera-assisted and active.

Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants in cars. Fine for no seatbelt: NT$1,500–3,000 (driver and each passenger). Full-face or half-face helmets are mandatory for all scooter and motorcycle riders and passengers — fine for no helmet: NT$500–1,500.

Children under 4 years and under 18 kg must be in a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint. Children 4–12 years should use a booster seat. Fine for non-compliance: NT$1,500–3,000. Do not seat children under 12 in the front seat.

Vehicle registration is managed at Motor Vehicles Offices (監理站) under the Directorate General of Highways (DGH). On change of ownership: both parties attend the Motor Vehicles Office, present the vehicle registration document (行照), sale agreement, both IDs/ARCs, new CALI insurance certificate, and applicable fees. New registration documents (行照) are issued same day. The vehicle licence plate transfers with the vehicle by default; the buyer may request new plates.

Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance (強制汽車責任保險, CALI) is mandatory for all motorised vehicles including scooters. CALI covers death and personal injury to third parties (passengers and pedestrians) — not property damage. Annual CALI premium: approximately NT$1,400–2,500 for cars; NT$700–1,400 for scooters. Purchase from any licensed insurer (Fubon, Cathay Century, Mingtai, etc.) — certificate must be carried in the vehicle. Voluntary comprehensive insurance (任意保險) is strongly recommended to cover vehicle damage and third-party property: NT$15,000–40,000/year.

Two annual vehicle taxes apply. (1) Licence plate tax (牌照稅): based on engine displacement, paid in March/April each year at the Motor Vehicles Office or post office. Typical amounts: 600cc–1,200cc NT$7,120; 1,201cc–1,800cc NT$11,230; 1,801cc–2,400cc NT$15,210. (2) Fuel levy (燃料費): based on engine size, paid with the licence plate tax or separately. Electric vehicles receive significant reductions or exemptions.

Periodic safety inspection (定期安全檢驗) is administered by Motor Vehicles Offices and authorised inspection stations. Schedule: cars within 5 years of manufacture are exempt; 6-year-old cars inspected every 2 years; cars 7+ years inspected annually. Scooters: first inspection after 3 years, then annually. Inspection covers brakes, lights, steering, tyres, and emissions. Cost: approximately NT$400–800 including emissions test. An inspection sticker (貼紙) is displayed on the windscreen or licence plate. Operating a vehicle with an expired inspection is a fine of NT$1,200–3,600.

• •Cyclists must ride on the right side of the road or in designated cycle lanes (自行車道).
• •Helmets are not legally mandatory for adults but are strongly recommended; mandatory for children under 12.
• •Lights — front white and rear red — are required at night; a bell or audible device is also required.
• •Do not ride on motorways (國道) or expressways — cycles are prohibited.
• •Obey all traffic signals — fines of NT$300–1,200 apply for red-light violations on bicycles.
• •Cycling under the influence of alcohol: the 0.25 mg/L breath threshold applies to cyclists; DUI penalties apply.
• •Use designated cycle crossing lines at intersections where available rather than riding through with motor traffic.
• •Mobile phone use while cycling is prohibited — same distracted-riding fine applies.

• •YouBike (公共自行車, youbike.com.tw) is available in Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and other cities — register with your EasyCard (悠遊卡) for first 30 minutes free.
• •The riverside cycle paths in Taipei are separated from traffic and are excellent for commuting and recreation.
• •For touring, the East Coast Route (Pacific Coast Road) is spectacular; the around-Taiwan loop takes 9–12 days.
• •Typhoon season (June–October): check the Central Weather Administration (CWA) before long rides and avoid cycling during typhoon warnings.
• •Lock your bicycle well — urban bicycle theft is common. Use a D-lock through frame and rear wheel plus a secondary cable.