How To Rent A Car In Taiwan (Expat Advice)

Renting a car in Taiwan is a common requirement for tourists and expats.

We often see people coming to Taiwan and wondering what the best mode of transportation is. This includes assessing what the process has to include and how to make sure things are as organized as they should be.

Having spent time in Taiwan, we will shed light on what is required for a car rental in Taiwan.

Here’s a detailed look at car rentals in Taiwan.

Renting a Car In Taiwan

Let’s go through the basics.

The process is going to include finding a good car rental service (online or offline).

You will then set up a payment method, find the right rental, set the date, and complete the transaction. This will vary depending on the method you employ for finding a car rental in Taiwan.

You are then going to be given a date and you will go to the location to collect the car rental.

At this point, you will want to drive it around as required and then return it after it has been cleaned.

Choosing The Rental Company

Renting a car in Taiwan is going to entail finding a good car rental company in Taiwan.

You will want to make sure they are accredited, trusted, and the real deal. This is a must or you could end up with a shady practice that is not going to have your best interests at heart.

What will they ask from you?

They are going to ask for general details including how long you are going to need the car rental. You will then be asked for your name and passport.

Documents For Car Rentals In Taiwan

What are you going to be asked for as a tourist or expat?

You are going to have to be at least 20 years old to rent a car and 25 years old to rent a premium vehicle. This is a set standard.

There are also specific documents that are going to be requested from you when you go to a car rental company in Taiwan.

This is going to include:

• Passport
• Visa/Entry Stamp
• Driver’s License/International Driver’s License
• Credit Card

Please note that there can be differences between car rental companies in Taiwan.

You will want to take the time to speak to them to get a better understanding of their payment methods and approval process.

Returning The Vehicle

Let’s assume you have had a great time and you’re looking to return the rental.

What will you be required to do?

You will want to make sure the vehicle is clean and undamaged. It has to be in the same state as when you got it.

It’s also important to make sure it has a full tank.

Additional Transportation Methods In Taiwan

What if you are not looking to rent a car in Taiwan?

You are going to want to consider additional transportation methods including taxis, buses, trains, and/or rideshare companies.

These are all valid options that will work well.

It’s also common for people to look at a service such as iRent, which is popular in Taiwan. This is when you are going to receive an hourly rental based on a short-term agreement on the app.

It’s common for people to look into these options because they are simpler to manage. You are going to simply pay for the transportation service and get to where you want to go.

For the most part, we often recommend tourists and expats settle in and only travel with these supplementary transportation methods during the first few months. The reason has to do with getting used to the environment and traffic.

The traffic in Taiwan is substantial and you are going to notice this instantly.

It might not be easy to drive in while you are settling in Taiwan.

Final Thoughts

These are the tips on how to rent a car in Taiwan.

Taiwan is a gorgeous place and it’s going to require a good car rental. If you take the time to find a great rental company, you can end up with a fair deal.

Feel free to go through the tips mentioned here to make sure the process is a smooth one for you.

You can also read our take on living abroad, reasons to move away, and moving abroad for love.