When an intersection displays a "Sign 20 (遵 20)" two-stage left turn sign for motorcycles and slow vehicles, scooters must execute a two-stage left turn (hook turn): ride straight on the green light into the waiting box located at the far right corner, then proceed straight once the cross street's signal turns green. Turning left directly without following this procedure constitutes failing to obey signs, markings, or signals under Article 48, Subparagraph 2 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalties Act (Chinese: 道路交通管理處罰條例), carrying fines of NT$600 to NT$1,800 (NT$600 if settled before deadline), and recording 1 penalty point upon in-person police citation. At intersections without signs, turn rules depend on whether inner lanes ban scooters or if the street is a one-way road with three or more fast lanes.
Notice: Along the same thoroughfare, whether individual intersections mandate two-stage turns may differ; always follow on-site signs and road markings. Local municipal governments periodically review intersection layouts, adding or removing signs over time. Fines cited in this guide reflect the unified statutory penalty scale on the National Laws and Regulations Database, subject to official updates.
When Is a Two-Stage Left Turn Mandatory?
Under Article 65 of the "Regulations for the Installation of Road Traffic Signs, Markings, and Signals", Sign "Zun 20 (遵 20)" (left turn) and Sign "Zun 20.1 (遵 20.1)" (right turn) instruct drivers of slow vehicles and motorcycles other than large heavy motorcycles to complete turns in two distinct stages; signs are erected prominently near intersections alongside marked waiting boxes. Furthermore, Article 99, Paragraph 2 of the Road Traffic Safety Rules stipulates that motorcycle turning at intersections must obey signs or markings; in their absence, turns follow Article 102 and the following statutory rules:
| Intersection Scenario | Mandated Scooter Turning Rule | Statutory Basis |
|---|
| Sign "Zun 20 (遵 20)" erected | Mandatory two-stage left turn | Installation Regulations Article 65 |
| No signs/markings, but inner lane has "No Motorcycles" sign/marking | Must turn left in two stages; cannot turn left from inner or other travel lanes | Safety Rules Article 99, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 1 |
| No signs/markings, one-way road with 3+ fast lanes, riding in right lane or slow lane | Must turn left in two stages | Safety Rules Article 99, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 2 |
| No signs/markings, one-way road with 3+ fast lanes, riding in left lane | Must turn right in two stages | Safety Rules Article 99, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 2 |
| None of the above apply | Permitted to turn left directly: signal turn indicator 30 meters prior, merge into inner or left-turn lane, reach intersection center before turning without cutting across oncoming lanes | Safety Rules Article 102, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 5 |
What if there is a waiting box but no regulatory sign? Article 191 of the Installation Regulations states that waiting boxes are installed "as needed", without stating that a painted box alone legally mandates hook turns. This article found no formal interpretation from police in Taipei and New Taipei regarding this specific ambiguity. Practical advice: when a waiting box exists and signs are ambiguous, executing a two-stage turn is safest and avoids dispute fines.
Large Heavy Motorcycles (Yellow and Red Plates): Sign 20 applies strictly to "motorcycles other than large heavy motorcycles"; under Article 92, Paragraph 6 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalties Act, large heavy motorcycles follow automobile traffic and penalty rules, turning directly like passenger cars.
How to Execute a Two-Stage Turn: Steps & Waiting Boxes
Article 65, Paragraph 2 of the Installation Regulations provides: at signalized intersections requiring two-stage turns, riders must follow signals, traveling straight on green into the far right waiting box, and proceed forward once the crossroad signal turns green. Step-by-step breakdown:
- (Practical advice) Stay in the outer travel lane before reaching the intersection, watching the signal facing your approach.
- When your approach signal shows green (proceed straight), ride straight into the designated waiting box at the far right corner of the junction.
- (Practical advice) Stop cleanly within the painted box boundaries, aligning your scooter toward your intended direction of travel.
- Wait until the signal for that cross street turns green, then proceed straight across the intersection.
Waiting box specifications under Article 191: white rectangular boxes with 15 cm line width, marked ahead of the stop line; at zebra crossings, marked in front of crosswalks with rear boundaries spaced at least 50 cm away. Practical advice: keep your vehicle entirely inside the lines, avoiding stopping on zebra crossings; if the box is congested, do not queue in live traffic lanes—circle the block or turn at the next intersection.
Statutory Fines and Penalty Points
The table below lists settlement amounts if paid before deadlines under the Unified Penalty Scale, noting that penalty points apply only to on-site police citations:
| Violation | Statutory Article | Legal Fine Range | On-Time Fine | Penalty Points |
|---|
| Direct left turn when two-stage is mandated (failing to follow signs/signals) | Article 48, Subparagraph 2 | NT$600 to NT$1,800 | NT$600 | 1 point |
| Scooter failing to travel in designated lane | Article 45, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 13 | NT$600 to NT$1,800 | NT$600 | 1 point |
| Cutting across oncoming lane before reaching intersection center | Article 48, Subparagraph 3 | NT$600 to NT$1,800 | NT$600 | 1 point |
| Turning left on multi-lane road without entering inner lane first | Article 48, Subparagraph 4 | NT$600 to NT$1,800 | NT$600 | 1 point |
| Turning vehicle failing to yield right-of-way to straight-moving vehicle | Article 48, Subparagraph 6 | NT$600 to NT$1,800 | Scooter / car NT$900 | 1 point |
| Failing to yield to pedestrians or slow down when turning | Article 48, Subparagraph 1 | NT$600 to NT$1,800 | NT$900 (hazardous cargo NT$1,800) | 1 point |
- Point assignment rules: Under Article 2 of the Unified Handling Rules, violations of Article 45, Paragraph 1 and Article 48 cited on the spot incur 1 point; newly licensed drivers within their first year receive 1 additional penalty point.
- Point accumulation and suspension: Under Article 63, accumulating 12 points within 1 year results in a 2-month driver license suspension; drivers reaching 6 points in 1 year may self-pay for safety training courses to deduct 2 points, limited to twice per year.
- Late payments: Failing to pay before specified due dates increases fines incrementally. Check or pay fines using How to Look Up and Pay Traffic Fines Online.
Failing to yield to pedestrians when turning incurs severe penalties under Article 44 (NT$1,200 on time for scooters, plus 3 penalty points); see Fines and Points for Failure to Yield to Pedestrians.
Citizen Video Reporting in Taipei and New Taipei
Article 7-1 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalties Act includes Article 48, Subparagraphs 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7 as reportable infractions, meaning failing to make a two-stage turn can be reported via dashcam footage; however, reports submitted more than 7 days following the violation date are dismissed. Crucially, penalty points require on-site police citations (Article 63, Paragraph 1 and Rule 2, Paragraph 5); Executive Yuan legislative statements confirmed penalty points exclude automated photo enforcement and citizen video reports, so citizen reporting cases incur fines without driver license points.
| City | Reporting Portal | Competent Agency & Telephone |
|---|
| Taipei City | Taipei Traffic Violation Reporting System (prsweb.tcpd.gov.tw) | Taipei City Police Department Traffic Police Corps, (02) 2375-2100 |
| New Taipei City | New Taipei City Police Department Reporting Portal (tvrs.ntpd.gov.tw) | New Taipei City Police Department Traffic Police Corps, (02) 2225-5999 |
To report problematic traffic signs (such as signs hidden by foliage), contact Taipei 1999 citizen hotline or the New Taipei Transportation Department. Check weather before commuting via our Commute Weather Advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
If there is a waiting box but no Sign 20, can I turn left directly?
Article 191 notes waiting boxes are drawn "as needed", while mandatory hook turns require Sign 20 or Article 99 conditions (such as inner lanes banning motorcycles or 3+ lane one-way streets). Without explicit police guidelines for other scenarios, two-stage turns are recommended to avoid penalties.
What is the fine for failing to execute a two-stage left turn?
Under Article 48, Subparagraph 2 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalties Act, the statutory fine is NT$600 to NT$1,800, set at NT$600 if settled before the deadline; on-site police stops add 1 penalty point.
Do large heavy motorcycles have to make two-stage left turns?
No. Sign 20 applies strictly to smaller motorcycles and slow vehicles; under Article 92, Paragraph 6, large heavy motorcycles follow passenger car rules and make direct left turns from inner lanes.
Does citizen dashcam reporting result in license penalty points?
No. Citizen video reports incur statutory fines but do not add penalty points, which legally require on-site police interception.
Do bicycles have to make two-stage left turns?
Yes. Sign 20 applies to motorcycles and slow vehicles, which legally include bicycles. Bicycles disobeying turn regulations face fines of NT$300 to NT$1,200 under Article 73, Paragraph 1.
Last updated: 2026-11-01
This article is compiled from public legal sources by SOSfix editors for general guidance; consult Taipei Traffic Police Corps, New Taipei City Police Department, or local transportation authorities for individual cases.
Sources and References
- Laws and Regulations Database: Regulations for Installation of Road Traffic Signs, Markings, and Signals (Amended March 11, Year 115 / 2026, verified 2026-11-01): Article 65 Sign 20 rules, Article 191 waiting box installation.
- Laws and Regulations Database: Road Traffic Safety Rules (Amended June 26, Year 115 / 2026, verified 2026-11-01): Article 99 Paragraph 2 motorcycle turns, Article 102 Paragraph 1 Subparagraph 5 general left turns.
- Laws and Regulations Database: Road Traffic Management and Penalties Act (Amended August 17, Year 115 / 2026, verified 2026-11-01): Article 7-1 citizen reports, Article 45, Article 48, Article 63 points, Article 73 slow vehicles (enacted October 31, Year 115 / 2026 by Executive Yuan order), Article 92 Paragraph 6 heavy bikes.
- Laws and Regulations Database: Unified Penalty Scale Handling Rules (Amended May 26, Year 115 / 2026, verified 2026-11-01): Article 2 Paragraph 5 points for Article 45 and 48; first-year license bonus point.
- Laws and Regulations Database: Unified Penalty Scale Table (Rule 2 Appendix, downloaded 2026-11-01): Article 45-1-13 and Article 48 settlement fine amounts and point annotations.
- Executive Yuan: Overhauling Traffic Violation Point System Drafts (Published March 7, Year 113, verified 2026-11-01): Points restricted to on-site police citations, excluding automated and citizen reports.
- Taipei City Police Department Traffic Police Corps: Traffic Violation Citizen Reporting Portal (Verified 2026-11-01): Taipei online reporting interface and phone numbers.
- New Taipei City Police Department: Traffic Violation Reporting System (Verified 2026-11-01): New Taipei online reporting system and contacts.
Related reading: Taiwan Motorcycle License: Written Test and Road Test Rules
