Renting a car in Taiwan can be a great idea, but it is not something every student or expat needs every week. If you are living in Taipei, public transportation is usually faster, cheaper, and less stressful for everyday life. The MRT, buses, YouBike, taxis, and trains can take you almost everywhere you need to go. But for weekend trips, moving luggage, visiting mountain towns, exploring the East Coast, or traveling with friends, renting a car can make your Taiwan experience much easier.
This guide explains how car rental in Taiwan works, what documents foreigners usually need, when renting a car makes sense, when it does not, and what first-time drivers should know before getting on the road.
Do You Need a Car in Taiwan?
For most international students and new expats living in Taipei, the answer is no. You do not need a car for daily life.
Taipei is one of the easiest cities in Asia to live in without driving. If you stay near an MRT station, university area, or central neighborhood, you can usually get around by MRT, bus, walking, taxi, or YouBike. This is especially true if you are studying at schools such as NTU, NTNU, NTUST, Taipei Tech, NCCU, Ming Chuan, or Chinese Culture University.
If you are still deciding where to live, it is usually smarter to choose housing near public transportation instead of planning to rent a car often. You can read more in our guides to preparing to study abroad in Taiwan, cost of living in Taiwan, and best areas to live in Taipei.
That said, renting a car can be very useful for certain situations. It is best for weekend trips, group travel, beach trips, mountain areas, moving between apartments, or visiting places that are difficult to reach by train or bus.
When Renting a Car in Taiwan Makes Sense
Renting a car is most useful when you want flexibility. For example, if you and three friends want to visit Yilan, Jiufen, Pingxi, Yangmingshan, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, Kenting, or the East Coast, a car can save time and give you more freedom.
A car is also helpful if you are carrying luggage, sports equipment, surfboards, hiking gear, or groceries from a big store like Costco. For short-term residents, it can be useful when moving into a new apartment or buying secondhand furniture from another expat.
For students, the best way to keep the cost reasonable is to rent with friends and split the expense. A car that looks expensive for one person may become affordable when divided between four people. For example, if a rental costs NT$2,000 per day and you split it among four people, the base rental cost is only NT$500 per person before fuel, tolls, parking, and insurance.
When You Should Not Rent a Car
Do not rent a car just to explore Taipei city center. Driving in Taipei can be stressful if you are not used to scooters, buses, taxis, narrow lanes, one-way streets, and limited parking. Parking can also be expensive or hard to find in popular areas like Xinyi, Da’an, Zhongshan, Ximending, Gongguan, and Taipei Main Station.
For city sightseeing, the MRT is usually easier. If you are going to places like Taipei 101, Shilin Night Market, Ximending, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Yongkang Street, or Raohe Night Market, public transportation is almost always the better choice.
You should also avoid renting a car if you are tired, nervous about driving overseas, or planning to drink. Taiwan has strict drunk-driving rules, and it is not worth the risk. Use taxis, Uber where available, or public transportation instead.
Can Foreigners Rent a Car in Taiwan?
Yes, foreigners can rent cars in Taiwan, but you need the correct driving documents. In most cases, rental companies will ask for your passport, original driver’s license from your home country, an International Driving Permit, and a credit card for the deposit. Some companies may also ask for an ARC, visa information, or proof of entry depending on your status and rental period.
Taiwan’s official motor vehicle information says drivers staying in Taiwan for fewer than 30 days can drive with a valid International Driving Permit without registering it, but people staying more than 30 days should register the IDP with a Motor Vehicle Office. The maximum registration period is generally up to one year, depending on your IDP, visa, ARC, or stay status. For long-term residents staying more than six months, Taiwan expects drivers to obtain a Taiwan driver’s license instead of relying only on an IDP.
This is important for exchange students and expats because many people arrive thinking their home-country license is enough. In practice, it often is not. Bring your original license and arrange your International Driving Permit before coming to Taiwan if you plan to drive. You usually cannot get an IDP after arriving in Taiwan unless you are applying for an international permit based on a Taiwan license.
What Documents Should You Prepare?
Before renting a car in Taiwan, prepare these documents:
Your passport with Taiwan entry information, your original home-country driver’s license, your International Driving Permit, a credit card under the driver’s name, and your ARC if you have one.
Some rental companies are stricter than others. A small local rental shop may accept documents differently from a large rental company or car-sharing app. If you book online, contact the rental company before the pickup date and ask them to confirm your documents in writing. This is especially important if your license is not in English or Chinese.
If you are from Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, or another jurisdiction with special rules, check with the rental company and Taiwan’s Motor Vehicle Office before booking. License recognition can depend on reciprocity and document type.
Where to Rent a Car in Taiwan
There are several ways to rent a car in Taiwan. The best option depends on your budget, language ability, and how much support you want.
Gogoout is a popular comparison platform that many foreigners use to find rental cars from different local shops. The original My Room Abroad post recommended Gogoout because it often had cheaper options than major rental companies, especially for students trying to keep costs low. That can still be a good starting point, but prices change depending on season, car type, pickup location, and insurance.
Large rental companies may cost more, but they can be easier if you want clearer procedures, newer cars, more locations, and better customer service. Some travelers also book through travel platforms such as Klook or KKday, especially for airport pickup or short trips.
Car-sharing apps such as iRent can be convenient for residents, but they may require a Taiwan driver’s license, ARC, or local verification. iRent’s English terms say foreign nationals must hold an ID card or residence permit of at least three months, a valid driver’s license, and other required documents. For a newly arrived student without a local license, a normal rental company may be easier than a car-sharing app.
How Much Does Car Rental Cost in Taiwan?
Prices vary a lot. A small compact car may cost around NT$1,500 to NT$3,000 per day depending on the company, location, date, and insurance. Weekend and holiday prices are usually higher. Long weekends, Lunar New Year, summer vacation, and national holidays can sell out early or become much more expensive.
When comparing prices, do not only look at the daily rental fee. Check what is included. A cheap rental may become expensive after insurance, mileage limits, late return fees, cleaning fees, tolls, parking, and fuel. Always check whether the car must be returned with a full tank and whether there is a mileage limit.
For students, the best value is usually a small car shared between three or four people. Avoid renting a large van unless you really need the space, because it can be harder to park and more stressful to drive on narrow roads.
Should You Buy Extra Insurance?
Usually, yes. If you are new to driving in Taiwan, extra insurance is worth considering.
Taiwan traffic can feel intense at first. Scooters may pass on both sides, delivery riders move quickly, buses stop suddenly, and mountain roads can be narrow. Even if you are a careful driver, small scratches or parking accidents can happen.
Before paying, ask the rental company these questions:
What is the basic insurance coverage? What is the maximum amount I might pay if there is damage? Does the insurance cover tires, windows, underbody damage, or lost keys? What happens if another driver hits the car? Do I need a police report for insurance claims?
Take photos and videos of the car before driving away. Record the front, back, sides, wheels, windshield, mirrors, interior, fuel level, and mileage. Do the same when returning the car. This can prevent arguments about scratches that were already there.
Highway Tolls and eTag
Taiwan uses an electronic toll collection system on freeways. There are no old-style toll booths where you stop and pay cash. Rental cars are usually equipped with eTag or billed electronically through the license plate system. The rental company will normally calculate tolls when you return the car and add them to your final bill. FETC operates Taiwan’s electronic toll collection services, and drivers can check toll-related services through FETC’s official website or app.
Ask the rental company how tolls are charged before leaving the shop. This is especially important if you plan to drive from Taipei to Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Yilan, Hualien, or Kenting.
Parking in Taiwan
Parking is one of the biggest reasons not to rent a car inside Taipei. Street parking is limited, and many roads have red or yellow lines where parking is restricted. In busy areas, use paid parking lots instead of guessing.
Look for signs that say 停車場, which means parking lot. Many department stores, MRT stations, tourist areas, and train stations have paid parking. Some parking lots use license plate recognition, while others give you a ticket.
If you park illegally, you may get a fine or the car may be towed. If a rental car is towed, you will have to pay the towing fee, parking fee, fine, and possibly the rental company’s handling fee.
Driving Tips for First-Time Foreign Drivers in Taiwan
Taiwan drives on the right side of the road. Seatbelts are required, and mobile phone use while driving can result in fines. Speed cameras and red-light cameras are common, including on city roads and highways.
Do not turn right on red unless signs clearly allow it. Watch for scooters when turning, opening doors, changing lanes, or entering side streets. Scooters are part of daily traffic in Taiwan, and new foreign drivers often underestimate how close they can get.
In mountain areas, drive slowly and carefully. Roads to places like Yangmingshan, Wulai, Alishan, Taroko, and parts of the East Coast can be beautiful but narrow. Weather can also change quickly. During typhoon season or heavy rain, avoid mountain driving if possible. You can read more about Taiwan’s weather in our guide to Taiwan’s climate and what to do in Taiwan when it is raining.
Best Taiwan Trips by Rental Car
A few trips are especially good by car.
Yilan is one of the easiest weekend trips from Taipei. You can visit beaches, hot springs, cafés, and nature spots without relying on buses. It is a good first road trip if you want something close to Taipei.
The North Coast is another good option. You can visit Yehliu, Jinshan, Baishawan, Tamsui, and scenic coastal roads. A car makes it easier to stop at beaches and viewpoints.
Kenting is better with a car if you want to explore beaches, the national park, and nearby towns. However, the drive from Taipei is long, so many people take the High Speed Rail to Zuoying and rent a car in southern Taiwan instead.
The East Coast is one of Taiwan’s most beautiful road trips, but it is better for confident drivers. Roads between Hualien and Taitung are scenic, but you should check road conditions, weather, and travel advisories before going, especially after earthquakes or typhoons.
Final Advice for Students and Expats
For daily life in Taipei, choose housing near MRT, bus routes, or your university instead of depending on a car. It will save money and make your first months in Taiwan much easier. You can search for student-friendly housing in Taipei on My Room Abroad, especially if you want flexible rentals, shared apartments, or rooms near universities.
For weekend trips, renting a car can be a great choice. Just make sure you have the correct documents, understand the insurance, check the car carefully, and avoid driving in stressful city traffic until you feel comfortable.
The best approach is simple: use public transportation for daily life, rent a car only when it gives you real freedom, and split the cost with friends whenever possible.
Hi we require a van can accommodate 6 pax on 29/10/18. Morning 4pick up from Taichung Tango Hotel, to Taipei Touyuan Airport