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

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

For British travellers, Taiwan is one of Asia's most rewarding destinations to explore by car. The island is compact, the motorway and provincial road network is excellent, and petrol stations and convenience stores are everywhere. You can drive from Taipei in the north to Kenting in the deep south in well under a day. For drivers used to driving on the left in the UK, the biggest adjustment isn't the roads — it's flipping your entire sense of direction to driving on the right.

This guide is written specifically for travellers holding a UK driving licence. It covers how to get your International Driving Permit (IDP), how to adapt from left-hand to right-hand traffic, how booking and pickup work, the road rules and ETC tolling system, how to choose insurance, and the best self-drive routes. Goodcars (goodcars.tw) has long served overseas self-drive visitors with English-language support and pickup at HSR stations and the airport.

1. Can I drive in Taiwan on a UK licence? Getting your IDP

Yes — but a UK licence alone is not enough. Short-term British visitors need two documents together to legally rent and drive:

Important: the IDP is only a translation of your UK licence and must be shown together with the original UK licence — an IDP alone is not valid. If you plan to stay long term or become a resident, different rules apply, so check the latest requirements before you travel. For the vast majority of UK tourists staying days to weeks, UK licence + IDP + passport is the standard set.

2. The key adjustment: switching from the left to driving on the right

This is what UK drivers need to focus on most. Britain drives on the left with the wheel on the right; Taiwan drives on the right with the wheel on the left, the same as continental Europe and the US. Almost every instinct needs to be reversed.

Practical tip: on day one, avoid central Taipei at rush hour. Pick the car up at a station or the airport, settle your luggage and navigation, then ease onto quieter roads first. Drive slowly and use voice navigation for the first hour or two and your brain will switch over quickly.

3. Where to pick up your car — booking direct is best value

The most convenient pickup points are HSR (High Speed Rail) stations, regular train stations, and Taoyuan Airport. Many UK visitors collect their car straight after landing, or take the HSR to their destination city and pick up there to skip city traffic.

• Taoyuan Airport pickup — ideal if you want to drive south as soon as you land.
• HSR station pickup — Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Zuoying (Kaohsiung) are all convenient: ride the HSR down the west coast, then drive the local sights.
• City branch pickup — Goodcars has physical branches and 24-hour self-service points island-wide.

Booking directly on the Goodcars website (goodcars.tw) is usually better value than third-party OTA platforms, and lets you confirm the car, insurance and pickup details in English. Book about a week ahead, as popular models go fast in peak season.

4. Road rules, ETC tolls, speed cameras, fuel and parking

Taiwan's rules will feel familiar to European drivers, but a few local details are worth knowing:

Two things UK drivers should especially note: first, Taiwan has a huge number of scooters that weave along the right side and through gaps, so always check your right and rear before turning or opening a door; second, freeways are fully ETC, so no stopping for change — just follow the traffic flow through the gantries.

5. Best self-drive routes for UK travellers

Taiwan packs a lot into a small island, and a car beats public transport for reaching the best spots. A few standout routes:

• Northern loop from Taipei — the north coast, Jiufen and Pingxi; a half to full day, perfect for a gentle first day.
• East coast: Taroko Gorge + Suhua coast — Taiwan's most dramatic gorge and coastal road, a favourite for UK visitors; allow 2–3 days.
• Central: Sun Moon Lake + Alishan — lakeside roads and high mountain forest, ideal for scenery lovers.
• Southern: Kaohsiung + Kenting — head to Taiwan's southern tip for beaches and seaside towns, especially popular in summer.
• East Rift Valley — rice fields, mountains and small towns on easy roads — the most relaxing drive in Taiwan.

6. How to choose insurance — peace of mind for UK drivers

Driving on the "wrong" side in an unfamiliar place makes insurance the key to a worry-free trip. Taiwan rental insurance usually comes in layers:

At pickup, Goodcars staff will explain each insurance layer and the excess amounts in English. Ask plainly: "If I scratch or bump the car, what's the maximum I'd pay?" — then decide on add-ons. Insure properly and a small mishap won't spoil the whole trip.

7. Where can you reach by car?

The great thing about self-driving is reaching the best places public transport struggles with: trailheads in Taroko Gorge, hidden Kenting beaches, the Alishan sunrise, Cingjing's mountain farms, and empty east-coast beaches. For time-limited UK travellers, a rental car turns Taiwan's highlights into one seamless route of your own.

8. Frequently asked questions

Q1. I only have a UK licence, not an IDP. Can I rent in Taiwan?

No. Short-term UK visitors must hold a valid UK licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP), shown together. Get the IDP at a UK Post Office before you travel.

Q2. The UK drives on the left — can I adapt to Taiwan's right-side driving?

Most UK drivers adjust within an hour or two. On day one, avoid Taipei at rush hour, drive slowly, use voice navigation, and keep reminding yourself: stay right, and give way when turning left.

Q3. How do Taiwan freeway tolls work? Do I stop to pay?

Taiwan freeways use electronic ETC with no manual booths; charges are read automatically at gantries and usually settled by the rental company — no stopping for change.

Q4. What's the difference between booking direct and via an OTA?

Booking direct on goodcars.tw is usually better value and lets you confirm the car, insurance and pickup details in English with less miscommunication.

Q5. Can I pick up at Taoyuan Airport?

Yes. Goodcars offers pickup and drop-off at Taoyuan Airport and at HSR and train stations island-wide — ideal if you want to drive as soon as you land.

Q6. Any special safety points for driving in Taiwan?

Most important: there are many scooters, so check your right and rear before turning, changing lanes or opening a door. Also obey speed limits (average-speed cameras exist) and never drink and drive. Full insurance adds peace of mind.

Q7. Do I need to speak Chinese to self-drive in Taiwan?

No. Navigation apps work in English, major road signs are bilingual, and Goodcars offers English support, so UK travellers can self-drive smoothly.