German Drivers' Complete Guide to Renting a Car & Self-Driving in Taiwan

German Drivers' Complete Guide to Renting a Car & Self-Driving in Taiwan

For German travellers, Taiwan is an underrated self-driving paradise. It is compact, its expressways are well maintained, petrol stations and convenience stores are everywhere, and — good news — Taiwan drives on the right, just like Germany, with the steering wheel on the left. There is almost no adjustment curve. In a single day you can see high mountains, coastline, hot springs and a night market, a density that is hard to find in Europe.

This guide is written specifically for holders of a German driving licence. It covers everything from the International Driving Permit (IDP) rules, documents you need, differences between Taiwanese and German traffic rules, real on-the-road tips and popular routes, to how to book. It is based on 固得租車 (GoodCars, goodcars.tw) long experience serving international drivers, so you can hit the road with confidence the moment you land.

Can I drive in Taiwan with a German licence? IDP rules explained

This is the question German visitors ask most. The answer: your German Führerschein alone is not valid — you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well. Taiwan recognises foreign IDPs on a reciprocity basis rather than by convention format (1949 or 1968): a valid IDP issued by a reciprocating country, plus your original licence and passport, lets you drive for up to 30 days after entry. Whether a country counts as reciprocating is set by the Highway Bureau (MOTC) list of driving-licence reciprocity with major countries — check it before you travel.

An IDP is essentially a multilingual translation of your German licence. It is not a standalone document, so it must always be used together with your original German licence. Getting one is easy: before you leave, apply at your local licensing office (Führerscheinstelle) or through an organisation such as ADAC. It is usually issued on the spot or within a few working days for a small fee.

For up to 30 days after entry you can drive on your German licence plus IDP and passport, with no need to convert to a Taiwanese licence. If you stay longer than 30 days, have the IDP endorsed at a motor vehicles office (valid for up to one year) before you keep driving. Most short tourist and business trips are unaffected.

What documents do you need to rent a car in Taiwan?

GoodCars keeps the pickup process foreigner-friendly: at staffed branches (open 09:00–21:00) our team checks your documents and hands over the car in person; at self-service car park stations, documents and the contract are completed online as instructed, and you collect the car from the designated car park shown in your booking confirmation. Have the following ready:

On age: most vehicles require drivers to be at least 20 and to have held a licence for one year; some premium models set a higher threshold. If you want the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan or a child seat, note it on the website before pickup so everything is ready at pickup. Staffed branches confirm it in person; at self-service car park stations it is handled online as instructed.

Taiwan vs Germany: the traffic differences (good news: both drive right!)

For visitors from left-driving countries, switching sides is the hardest part. German drivers skip that entirely — Taiwan and Germany both drive on the right, wheel on the left, overtaking on the left, so your muscle memory transfers directly. A few "Taiwan specials" are worth knowing first:

• Scooters everywhere: Taiwan has one of the world's highest scooter densities. Watch both sides at junctions, turns and lanes; make a habit of checking mirrors and glancing over your shoulder.
• No Autobahn-style unlimited speed: expressway limits are typically 100–110 km/h, lower in cities, and speed cameras are common. Do not bring Autobahn habits.
• Expressways use ETC electronic tolling: there are no manual toll booths. Rentals come with an eTag and tolls (NT$1.2 per km for rental cars) are settled when you return the car — no stopping to pay.
• No right turn on red: as in Germany, turning right on a red light is prohibited. Wait for green.
• Two-stage left turns: at some junctions scooters make two-stage left turns; cars turn left normally. Follow the lane markings and signals.

On the road in Taiwan: expressways, mountain roads and cities

Expressways: good surfaces and clear signage make them ideal for long distances. The innermost lane is for overtaking — return to a middle/outer lane after passing, exactly the discipline you know from Germany.

Mountain roads: Taroko, Alishan and Hehuanshan are breathtaking but winding, sometimes narrow, occasionally with falling rocks. Slow down, use your horn on blind bends and yield when passing. Tunnels are frequent, so keep your headlights on.

Cities: parking in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung can be tight; use metered street bays or parking apps. Alleys are narrow and full of scooters — low and slow is safest.

Refuelling: stations are plentiful and mostly full-service. Your GoodCars car comes with a fuel card — ask the attendant to fill up and present the card instead of paying (self-service pumps may not accept it), and return the car as it is: there is no full-tank requirement. Fuel is settled afterwards through the per-kilometre fuel charge.

The Taiwan self-drive routes German travellers love

Taiwan is small but geographically rich, perfect for a 5–10 day self-drive:

• Taroko Gorge (Hualien): marble canyons and the Suhua coast. Since the April 2024 (0403) earthquake, trails such as Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou), the Tunnel of Nine Turns, Eternal Spring Shrine and Shakadang remain closed, and Highway 8 between Tianxiang and the Taroko entrance opens only in announced time windows and closes at night. You can still visit the Taroko entrance area and the Qingshui Cliffs; check Taroko National Park and Highway Bureau notices before you go, and see our Taroko National Park self-drive guide.
• East Coast (Highway 11): Pacific on one side, coastal mountains on the other, comparable to California's Highway 1, with indigenous villages and rice terraces along the way.
• Sun Moon Lake & Qingjing (Nantou): lake scenery plus alpine farms — a relaxed two-day loop.
• Alishan (Chiayi): sunrise, sea of clouds and the forest railway; watch the bends and fog on the way up.
• Round-island loop (~900 km): with time to spare, circling Taiwan by expressway and coastal road is a dream trip for many European travellers.

GoodCars has locations across the north, centre and south, making "pick up in one city, drop off in another" easy — no doubling back just to return the car.

How to book: direct on goodcars.tw vs via an OTA

Many international travellers book through Klook or Trip.com — convenient, but the price usually includes platform commission and is not always the best. The most direct way to save is to book straight on the GoodCars website, goodcars.tw: without the middleman, the same car is often cheaper, and the vehicle, insurance and add-ons are all laid out clearly.

• Upgrade your car: want more comfort or space? Add an upgrade to an SUV or business model right on the site — easier for long distances.
• Transparent pricing: rental, insurance, fuel charge and add-ons itemised, with no hidden fees.
• Flexible plans: mix and match by days and pickup/return points.

24-hour self-service pickup: even for red-eye flights

Many flights from Germany land in the early morning or late at night, when branches may be closed. GoodCars' 24-hour self-service pickup and return is built for exactly this: with online booking and a self-service flow, you can collect your car and drive off even at dawn, without waiting at the airport or working around branch hours.

This digitised pickup is especially welcome when you are still jet-lagged and just want the keys. Multiple self-service points across Taiwan, paired with online booking, cut out the queue at the counter entirely.

Frequently asked questions

Q1: Can I drive in Taiwan with just my German licence?

No. You must obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Germany before departure and use it together with your original German licence — both are required. An IDP cannot be issued inside Taiwan.

Q2: Does Taiwan drive on the left or the right?

Taiwan drives on the right, with the wheel on the left, exactly like Germany — so German drivers face virtually no adjustment.

Q3: Do I need a credit card?

Yes — foreign visitors need a credit card in their own name when picking up the car.

Q4: How do I pay tolls on Taiwan's expressways?

Taiwan uses ETC electronic tolling with no manual booths. Rentals carry an eTag and tolls are settled when you return the car — no need to stop or pay cash.

Q5: What should I watch out for most when driving in Taiwan?

The biggest difference is the large number of scooters; watch both sides at turns, junctions and alleys. Speed limits are also lower than in Germany and cameras are common — leave Autobahn speeds behind.

Q6: Can I pick up in one city and drop off in another?

Yes. GoodCars has locations nationwide and supports cross-region pickup and return — ideal for round-island or one-way trips. See plans and fees on the website.

Q7: Do I need the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan?

Basic insurance (GoodCars' own vehicle insurance policy) is included, but adding the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan lowers what you owe after an accident, which is well worth it for mountain roads and long trips. You can add it when booking online.