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 rent for the best price. 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 IDPs issued under the 1968 convention framework, and Germany is a signatory, so a German-issued IDP is accepted.

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.

Short-stay visitors may drive on a German licence plus IDP without converting to a local Taiwanese licence. Only long-term residents (staying beyond the permit's validity) need to look into a local licence. Ordinary tourists and short business trips are unaffected.

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

Goodcars keeps the pickup process foreigner-friendly — with the right documents it usually takes around fifteen minutes. 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 full collision-damage waiver or a child seat, note it on the website before pickup so there is no waiting at the counter. Goodcars can complete these steps both at staffed branches and at 24-hour self-service points.

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 are usually added to your bill automatically — 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 — present it instead of paying, and return the car as it is: there is no full-tank requirement. Fuel is settled afterwards through the per-kilometre mileage fee.

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 — the route international drivers rate most; a car lets you stop freely.
• 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 rent for the best price: book direct, not via 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, mileage 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, or can I pay the deposit in cash?

The rental itself can be paid by card or cash, but the deposit (pre-authorisation) normally requires a credit card in the driver's own name. Bring one with sufficient limit to be safe.

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 usually added to your final bill — 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 extra insurance?

Basic insurance is usually included, but adding a collision-damage waiver (full cover) lowers your excess risk, which is well worth it for mountain roads and long trips. You can add it when booking online.