Going on a road trip in Taiwan is totally awesome and it’s one of the best things about traveling here. For international visitors, renting a car is a super convenient way to get around. But there are a bunch of things to keep in mind when renting a car as an international traveler.
In this article, we’re gonna break down the whole process for you so you can plan your road trip smoothly.
1. Reserve a rental car
Gogoout provides online reservation services for rental cars, allowing you to reserve a car today for pick up tomorrow. With a variety of vehicle options and high flexibility, you can not only save costs on prices but also save time waiting in line to rent a car. It’s a great choice for international travelers to rent a car.
In addition, it is recommended to make a reservation online in advance to ensure that there are vehicles available for rent on-site.
2. Rental requirements
There are many documents and requirements that international travelers need to prepare when renting a car, including a valid international driver’s license, a translated version of the driver’s license, a passport, etc. Different rental car companies may have different requirements for documents and conditions.
See more details: Things to Know for International Driver’s Licenses
It is recommended to carefully read the terms and conditions of the rental car company before renting a car to avoid unnecessary trouble.
3. How to get your rental car
When you arrive in Taiwan, you’ll probably come through Taoyuan or Kaohsiung International Airport.
But here’s the thing – most car rental shops aren’t actually in the airport. So, you need to use their shuttle service to get to the rental shop to pick up or return your car.
When you book your car online, you’ll get all the details you need, including the shop’s contact info. When you get to Taiwan, just use your phone to call the shop and arrange the shuttle service. You can also ask the airport help desk to help you contact the rental shop if you need to.
If you book a rental car from a shop that provides airport pick-up and drop-off service through gogoout car rental platform, you can also contact the shop with the help of the platform’s customer service to arrange the transportation.
4. Car Pick-up Process
In the car rental process, picking up the car is an important part, which includes verifying rental documents, signing rental contracts, and inspecting the vehicle.
4-1 Verify Rental Documents
When picking up the car, you need to prepare your passport, a Taiwan mutually recognized official valid driver’s license, and a credit card. The rental company will assist in explaining the rental contract and make copies of the documents. Foreign travelers may need to pre-authorize a deposit or fill out a credit card authorization form in advance to cover any fines or related expenses that may occur later.
4-2 Vehicle Inspection
After completing the above steps, the rental company will bring you to inspect the reserved vehicle, explain the basic operation of the vehicle, and check the interior and exterior to ensure that the condition of the vehicle meets your expectations and needs.
During the process, you need to carefully check the condition of the vehicle. Any damage will be recorded in the rental contract, and it is recommended that travelers take photos or videos to protect their rights. If any issues are found, they should be reported to the rental company immediately to avoid unnecessary disputes.
4-3 Fuel Level
The fuel level will be recorded on the rental contract, and you should return the car with the same fuel level as when you picked it up.
4-4 Mileage
The starting mileage will be recorded at the beginning of the rental, and the total mileage will be calculated upon return to determine if there is any excess mileage beyond the free limit, for which there will be an additional charge.
5. While Driving the Vehicle
Before driving, it’s important to familiarize yourself with Taiwan’s traffic rules and road signs. Road signs and markings in Taiwan may be different from what you are familiar with, such as the direction of arrows or the color of lane dividing lines, so please pay attention to these differences.
In addition, driving styles in Taiwan are relatively conservative and speeds are generally slower, so please be sure to drive at a suitable speed and safely, to avoid violating traffic rules and causing accidents.
5-1 Fueling the vehicle
When picking up the vehicle, the rental company staff will inform you of the type of fuel needed. Please follow the regulations and refuel at a legal gas station, and keep the receipt for future reference.
5-2 Highway driving
Currently, rental vehicles in Taiwan are equipped with the electronic toll collection (ETC) system, so no worries to drive on the highways, the toll fees will be settled upon returning the vehicle.
5-3 Accidents
If an accident occurs, please remain calm and do not leave the scene. Immediately call 110 for emergency services and notify the rental company staff. The police and rental staff will assist you as soon as possible.
5-4 Parking fees
When parking on the side of the road, a parking fee receipt will usually be placed on the windshield. You can pay the fee at a nearby convenience store. Please do not let the payment due date pass, as you may incur additional fees which will be charged to your credit card.
6. Returning the car
Please arrive at least 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled time to avoid affecting your flight or other transportation after the return process, as the process takes about 20 minutes.
The first thing to do when returning the car is to park the vehicle in the designated location, pull up the handbrake, and turn off the engine. The passengers are responsible for unloading their luggage, while the driver and the rental staff inspect the vehicle together.
The staff will first inspect the vehicle’s body together with the rental agreement to confirm if there are any new damages or abnormalities and make a note on the agreement.
6-1 Fuel
The fuel level will be checked to match the fuel gauge position on the contract. If the fuel level is lower than when the vehicle was rented, the customer will be charged for the service fee and the difference in fuel cost.
6-2 Mileage
The end mileage will be checked when returning the car and subtracted from the starting mileage. If it exceeds the free mileage, an additional fee will be charged. If not, no additional fees will be incurred.
6-3 Highway tolls
All vehicles are equipped with an electronic toll collection (ETC) system. The rental staff will check the system to confirm the total mileage used on the highway during the rental period and charge NT$1.2 per kilometer according to Taiwan regulations. Payment can be made in cash on the spot.
6-4 Traffic tickets
Due to the operating hours of Taiwan’s regulatory agencies, if there are traffic violations such as running a red light or speeding, it will take longer to process, usually around 1-3 months.
If a traffic ticket is issued and needs to be paid, the rental staff will notify the customer of the ticket’s details and amount by email and deduct the payment from the deposit or credit card. After confirming that there are no outstanding tickets or payments, the remaining deposit will be refunded, or the credit card pre-authorization will be voided.
6-5 Car damage fees
If an accident or car damage occurs during the rental period, the rental staff will determine if the journey can continue. Compensation and related issues will be handled according to the vehicle’s return to the repair shop for inspection. After the repair shop confirms and provides a quote for the repair time, the fee can be settled on-site.
Going on a road trip in Taiwan is super cool and it’s a great way to experience the culture and scenery of Taiwan. But before you rent a car, you gotta make sure you have all the necessary documents and pick a rental company and plan that suits your needs. When you pick up the car, make sure to check the vehicle’s condition carefully and fill out the damage form. And when you hit the road, always follow the traffic rules and road signs. Finally, before you return the car, make sure to clean up any stuff inside and check the vehicle’s condition to avoid any extra fees.
If you follow these tips and advice, you’ll be able to rent a car with ease, drive safely and enjoy a wonderful trip. Hopefully, this article can provide useful information and help those who are planning a road trip to Taiwan.
Lastly, have a blast on your road trip to Taiwan, but don’t forget to be mindful of traffic safety to ensure a safe and smooth journey.
