Chih Hang Car Rental | Complete Taiwan Road Trip Guide
There are quite a few major car rental companies in Taiwan, such as Carplus, Hotai (iRent), and Chailease, which are all well-known household names. Today, I'm introducing another well-established brand with over 30 years of history: "Chih Hang Car Rental". Here is my hands-on rental experience, honest review, step-by-step pick-up and return guide, and essential precautions to help you enjoy a seamless road trip!
1. About Chih Hang Car Rental
Chih Hang Car Rental is a long-standing, reputable chain car rental company established in Taiwan in 1990. Headquartered in Kaohsiung, it operates nationwide with 12 direct corporate branches across Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien, Taitung, and Penghu.
- Diverse Vehicle Fleet: Offers sedans, SUVs, commercial vans, electric vehicles, and trucks, catering to individual tourists, business travelers, freight, and large groups alike.
- Budget-Friendly Rates: Compact cars start around NT$1,300 per day, with frequent special discounts, same-day promotions, birthday specials, and student deals.
- Short-Term, Long-Term & One-Way Rentals: Flexible rental terms accommodating holiday weekend getaways, long road trips, corporate leases, and one-way drop-offs.
- International Traveler Friendly: Welcomes overseas travelers driving with valid International Driving Permits, offering quick support for inbound tourism and international business trips.
- 24/7 Roadside Assistance: Free 24-hour nationwide emergency roadside assistance, including free towing within 20 kilometers for total peace of mind.
- Hassle-Free Booking: Book via website, LINE, or phone with no deposit or passport withholding required; transparent and straightforward process.
- Modern, Low-Mileage Fleet: Regularly updates fleet with latest models and EVs, ensuring reliable quality and high performance.
2. Pick-Up Process
(We were heading on a road trip down to Kenting, so we picked up our car at Kaohsiung's Zuoying High Speed Rail Station. Chih Hang's branch has an unbeatable location—directly across the street from the HSR station!)
(Essential documents to bring upon collection: ID card or Passport, Driver's License, and Credit Card (must match the primary renter). International travelers must present their home-country driver's license alongside a valid International Driving Permit. If you have an additional driver, register their documents together; otherwise, insurance coverage will not apply to them!)
(During pick-up, we noticed a minor quirk: on the gogoout platform, you can choose between "Designated Model" (e.g., Toyota VIOS/Yaris, Nissan TIIDA) or "Similar Vehicle / Any Brand". We explicitly selected a designated model, but received a different model upon arrival. We weren't sure whether this was a sync issue between the platform and the rental shop, but Chih Hang's staff was super accommodating and immediately offered to swap it back to our reserved model. However, since the assigned car was actually a superior upgrade, we happily kept it!)
(You can purchase supplementary insurance at the counter. Chih Hang's base rental already includes substantial coverage compared to some budget vendors that only offer compulsory third-party liability. However, in an accident, you are still liable for deductibles and business loss compensation—capped at NT$30,000 under Plan A. You can upgrade to Plan B at the counter to reduce the loss-of-use cap to NT$8,000. If you already have comprehensive third-party rental insurance, you can skip this, though purchasing directly on-site makes claim processing much faster.)
(Next comes the vehicle inspection: check fuel levels, odometer reading, tires, and exterior scratch marks. If you spot any pre-existing dings, make sure the staff marks them down on the rental inspection sheet. I strongly suggest recording a full 360-degree video on your phone as proof to avoid any disputes later. Feel free to ask the staff how to operate the car's tech or controls.)
(Since we traveled with an infant under 1 year old, we initially wanted to rent a baby seat. However, Chih Hang only provides toddler booster/convertible seats for ages 1 and above, so we brought our own rear-facing car seat. The staff was incredibly warm and helped us install it securely into the car—kudos to their great customer service!)
(Having rented from numerous car rental agencies in Taiwan before, this was our first time with Chih Hang, and we were thrilled to see how new their vehicles are! Our car had only clocked around 7,000 km—virtually brand new, which made our long road trip so comfortable and stress-free.)
(The car performed flawlessly throughout the entire drive. The staff mentioned that Chih Hang continually refreshes its vehicle inventory with brand-new models, so tourists frequently receive low-mileage, exceptionally safe cars.)
3. Vehicle Return Procedure
(When your road trip ends, pay attention to the refueling policy. While many companies enforce a "full-to-full" policy, Chih Hang uses a "same-to-same fuel level" rule. It's smart to keep your final gas receipt just in case. The return process took less than 5 minutes: the staff conducted a quick exterior check, confirmed the fuel gauge, and we handed over the keys. If you incurred electronic highway tolls (eTag) or traffic tickets during the rental period, the bill will simply be settled via your registered credit card or mailed later.)
4. Key Precautions & Rental Rules
- Age Requirement: Even though the legal driving age in Taiwan is 18, Chih Hang requires drivers to be at least 20 years old and have held a valid driver's license for over 1 full year.
- Required Travel Documents: International travelers need their Passport, home-country Driver's License, and an International Driving Permit (IDP). Visitors from Hong Kong/Macau must also show their Taiwan Exit & Entry Permit. Japanese drivers do not need an IDP, but must present their Japanese Driver's License alongside an official Chinese Translation.
- In-Person Collection: The primary driver must present all original documents in person; proxies cannot pick up or return the vehicle on your behalf.
- Child Safety Seats: Chih Hang offers child safety seats (add-on fee), but only for children aged 1 year and older. If you have an infant under 1, bring your own seat (or ask their staff for local baby gear rental partner contacts).
- Accident SOP: In the event of any collision or minor fender-bender, you MUST immediately call police at 110 and notify the rental company. Never attempt a private settlement. Without an official Police Traffic Accident Report (事故登記聯單), insurance claims cannot be processed, leaving you fully liable.
Overall, our self-drive experience with Chih Hang Car Rental was smooth, straightforward, and pleasant. From the pristine vehicle to the warm customer service and transparent policies, everything was top-notch. I wouldn't hesitate to book with them again on future road trips across Taiwan. Safe travels and happy driving!