The Complete Australian's Guide to Renting a Car and Self-Driving in Taiwan

The Complete Australian's Guide to Renting a Car and Self-Driving in Taiwan

Taroko Gorge, Taiwan — a favourite self-drive route for Australian travellers (image for illustration only)

For many Australians, Taiwan is a wildly underrated self-drive destination. Towering mountains, marble gorges, a Pacific coastline and hot springs are all packed onto an island not much bigger than Tasmania — you can drive from a buzzing city into spectacular alpine scenery in just a couple of hours. But two things will feel very different from home: Taiwan drives on the right, and you must carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent and drive legally. This guide covers everything Australian drivers need — documents, driving on the right, insurance, routes and costs — so you can hit the road with confidence the moment you land.

This guide is compiled by GoodCars (goodcars.tw), which operates 30+ locations across Taiwan, with English online booking (staff use translation apps, and some branches can assist in English) — a popular first stop for overseas self-drive travellers.

1. Can Australians drive in Taiwan? You need an IDP

Yes — but only with an International Driving Permit (IDP). Taiwan's road rules require foreign visitors to carry both their original home-country licence and an IDP when renting and driving. Your Australian licence alone, or an IDP alone, is not valid for renting a car in Taiwan.

Australian IDPs are issued by the state motoring clubs under the AAA (for example NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC and RACT). Sort it out before you leave Australia — it usually requires an in-person application with a photo and is issued within a few days. An IDP is a certified translation valid for about a year and cannot be obtained in Taiwan, so bring it with you.

2. Driving on the right: the biggest mental adjustment

A quiet mountain road in Taiwan — drive on the right, with the driver's seat on the left (image for illustration only)

This is the single biggest difference for Australian drivers: Taiwan drives on the right, the steering wheel is on the left and the gear shift is on your right hand. For the first day or two, watch out for:

• Pulling out and turning: after a turn, settle back into the right-hand lane — early mornings with little traffic are when old habits kick in.
• Roundabouts: Taiwan roundabouts run anti-clockwise, the opposite of Australia.
• Indicators vs wipers: on left-hand-drive cars the indicator stalk is usually on the left, so you may flick the wipers at first — it comes quickly.
• Junctions: when pulling onto a main road, look left first for oncoming traffic.

Choose a daytime, simpler suburban or rural stretch for your first leg, and avoid peak hours in central Taipei or Taichung. For navigation, use Google Maps on your phone and download an offline map before you set off — it takes a lot of pressure off if you're new to left-hand drive.

3. How to rent: the smoothest path for Australian visitors

Book directly on goodcars.tw in English. You can pre-select your car, pickup/return branch and times, and pay with an international credit card — no queueing on arrival and no need to carry a stack of cash. The steps:

• Book online: enter pickup/return location, dates and times, pick a car and get an instant quote.
• Prepare documents: Australian licence, IDP, passport, and the booking holder's credit card.
• Pick up: at a staffed branch or 24-hour self-service point — documents checked, car condition confirmed, keys handed over.
• Return: return at the agreed time and place — no need to refuel, as fuel is covered by the fuel card and the mileage fee.

4. Basic insurance and the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan

Rentals in Taiwan generally include basic vehicle damage and third-party liability cover, but with an excess. For Australians who are new to the area and adjusting to left-hand drive, we recommend:

The GO Worry-Free Protection Plan costs NT$400 / 600 / 800 a day depending on the car; after a collision with another vehicle, your liability for vehicle damage drops from NT$50,000 to NT$5,000 — excellent peace of mind for a short self-drive trip.

5. Best self-drive routes for Australian travellers

Taiwan's east coast — Highway 11 is a classic ocean drive (image for illustration only)

• Taroko Gorge (Hualien): a world-class marble canyon, about 40 minutes' drive from Hualien city — a must-do.
• East Coast Highway 11: the Pacific on one side, coastal mountains on the other, wide and quiet — perfect for easing into left-hand drive.
• Sun Moon Lake (Nantou): a scenic lakeside loop with tea plantations and a cable car, ideal for a 2–3 day slow trip.
• Kenting (Pingtung): southern beaches and a national park, about 2 hours south from a Kaohsiung pickup.

Sun Moon Lake, Nantou (image for illustration only)

6. Before you go: tolls, parking, fuel and speed cameras

• Highway tolls (ETC): Taiwan's freeways use electronic eTag tolling, already built into your rental — tolls are settled at return, no stopping to pay.
• Fuel: your GoodCars car comes with a fuel card — swipe it at the pump and you pay nothing at the station. There is no full-to-full rule; fuel is billed afterwards as a per-kilometre mileage fee.
• Parking: mostly metered in cities; pay roadside and car-park fees via parking apps or cash.
• Speed cameras: fixed cameras are common — stick to the limit to avoid a fine following you home.

7. Frequently asked questions

Q1: Can I drive in Taiwan on my Australian licence alone?

No. You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well. Apply through your state motoring club (NRMA, RACV, RACQ and others) before leaving Australia, and present it together with your original Australian licence and passport at pickup; you will also need a credit card in your name.

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

Taiwan drives on the right with left-hand-drive cars — the opposite of Australia. Ease in on a simple route on day one and mind your lane positioning, roundabout direction and the indicator stalk.

Q3: Can I pay online with an Australian credit card?

Yes. GoodCars' website accepts international credit cards online, saving you cash exchange and on-site queues.

Q4: Do I have to add the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan?

It's optional. Basic insurance is included (Goodcars' own vehicle insurance policy), but the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan is recommended to lower your liability — especially while adjusting to left-hand drive.

Q5: What's the minimum age and licence requirement?

Typically you must be 20 or older and have held a valid licence for a minimum period. Exact rules depend on the car and branch; GoodCars support will confirm when you book.

Q6: Can I pick up at the airport?

Yes. GoodCars arranges pickup near Taoyuan Airport and in major cities — choose the branch or self-service point nearest your flight when booking online.

Final thoughts

For Australians, self-driving Taiwan comes down to two things: carry your Australian licence plus an IDP, and remember to drive on the right. Get the paperwork right and take it slow for the first two days, and Taiwan's mountains and coast are yours to explore. Booking ahead with GoodCars — transparent pricing and a smooth English process — is the easiest way to start your Taiwan road trip.