Getting a local Taiwanese Drivers License (Not an International Drivers License)
Also see: Getting a Local Drivers License | Transportation in Taiwan | Using your International Drivers License
Why Should I get a Local Drivers License
There are many good reasons to get a local Taiwanese drivers license. Here are just a few thoughts on the subject:
- You are liable for any accident, whether your fault or not, if you are driving without a license in Taiwan.
- You cannot rent a vehicle here without a valid drivers license. (Many rental shops for cars and scooters don’t accept an International Drivers Permit).
- You could go to jail or receive a stiff fine if you are pulled over without a license.
- You cannot get auto insurance.
- You could get kicked out of the country (kicked out in some cases can mean you are forced to leave without being able to tie up lose ends, depending on the situation).
Using your International Drivers License (Permit)
The holder of an international driving license is only allowed to drive on that license during the first thirty consecutive days of the holder having landed in Taiwan, and only to drive the group(s) of vehicles designated on the license. If the holder is applying for an Alien Residence Certificate (A.R.C.), then the validity of the license can be extended to cover the period of the holder’s extended residence, up to a maximum of one year. Re-application of the license extension must be made after its date of expiry.
If a non-A.R.C. holder leaves Taiwan and then re-enters, then the standard international license validity period of thirty consecutive days from landing re-applies. If required, licenses can be extended upon reaching the thirty day expiry date.
How do I go about getting a local motorcycle (scooter) drivers license?
Licensing Requirements for Motorcycles 49cc and under motorcycles (Light)
Requirements:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Application form (available at testing centre)
- 1 inch passport style photo taken within the last 6 months (black and white or colour)
- A locally issued I.D. card or A.R.C. card with a minimum 1 year validity period
Fees:
- NT$100 Health Check (sometimes referred to as a ‘healthy check’ 🙂
- NT$125 Registration fee
- NT$250 Road Test including Theory Test or NT$125 Road test only
- NT$200 license card fee
Process:
- Submit a completed application form on arrival at the test center.
- Submit to a basic physical exam (see ‘physical exam’)
- Complete a computer-based multiple choice theory exam (see ‘theory exam’)
- Complete a practical motorcycle course (you must provide your own ‘light motorcycle’ – see ‘motorcycle course’)
- Collect your license which will be provided immediately at the center (upon successful completion of all criteria)
50cc up to 249cc Motorcycles (Normal)
Requirements:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Application form (available at testing center)
- 1 inch passport style photo taken within 6 months (black and white or color)
- A locally issued I.D. card or A.R.C. card with a minimum 1 year validity period
Fees:
- NT$100 Health Check
- NT$125 registration fee
- NT$250 Road Test including Theory Test or NT$125 Road test only
- NT$200 license card fee
Process:
- Submit a completed application form on arrival at the test center.
- Submit to a basic physical exam (see ‘physical exam’)
- Complete a computer based multiple choice theory exam (see ‘theory exam’)
- Complete a practical motorcycle course (you must provide your own ‘light motorcycle’ – see ‘motorcycle course’)
- Collect your license which will be provided immediately at the center (upon successful completion of all criteria)
250cc and over Motorcycles (Heavy)
Requirements:
- Minimum 20 years of age
- You must have a normal motorcycle license for at least 1 year
- Application form (available at testing centre)
- 1 inch passport style photo taken within 6 months (black and white or colour)
- Large, heavy motorcycles are generally available at the testing centres (you are required to book and train at a testing center for heavy motorcycles)
Process:
- Submit to a basic physical exam (see ‘physical exam’)
- Submit a completed application form at a licenced training/testing centre
- Complete a seven-day instructional course at an approved training facility including practice time
- Perform the course for a testing examiner on a given date and time by the testing centre
- Collect your ‘large, heavy motorcycle licence’ (upon successful completion of all criteria) which may or may not be provided immediately, depending on the centre.
Fees:
- Depending on the test center your fees could be as high as NT$8000. You can probably negotiate the fees depending on the test center. This can also be coordinated with the shop where you purchase a heavy bike. Sometimes certain fees can be waived or reduced since you’re going through a motorcycle shop that typically has a relationship with a local testing center.
Physical Exam
The physical drivers examination consists of:
- Eyesight, including distance, peripheral and color blindness.
- Measurements including height and weight.
- Motor skills including the ability to squat down, stand up and wriggle all ten fingers.
- Hearing, including both left and right ears.
Physical Examination Centers:
Some of the main Motor Vehicles Offices may have onsite physical examination facilities, in which case the physical examination can be carried out at the same time as the application for a motor vehicle license. Call ahead to confirm the M.V.O. has a physical examination department, or ask them where you might otherwise find a local examination center, clinic or hospital which will offer the relevant, stamped paperwork required for the license application.
My Drivers License has expired. How do I renew it?
Drivers licenses follow your ARC in Taiwan. When your ARC expires, so does your license. Once you renew your ARC you can renew your Taiwanese drivers license at the same MOTC office where your license was issued. Don’t forget to bring a picture for each license you wish to renew, plus NT$200 renewal fee.
Where do I go to get my license?
You can renew your license at any Taipei office. Here are the 2 main branches:
Motor Vehicle Offices in the Taipei Area:
台北市監理處北區分處:
111台北市士林區承德路五段80號
Taipei City Motor Vehicles Office:
No.80, Section 5 Chengde Road, Taipei City.
Telephone Number: 02-2763-0155
Click here for a google map of the Chengde branch
西區代辦處 :
台北市萬華區和平西路3段345號。
Taipei, Western District office:
No.345, Section 3, Heping West Road, Wanhua District, Taipei.
Telephone: 02-2302-7709
Tainan:
701台南市東區崇德路1號
Telephone: 06 269 6678
Pingtung:
900屏東縣屏東市忠孝路222號
Telephone: 08 766 6733
Kaohsiung:
In the city the main office is just south of Jiuru Rd. (9th Rd) between Mintzu and Dasuen Rds.
802高雄市苓雅區安康路22號
Telephone: 07 225 7812
Click here for a google map of the main branch.
Physical Exam Centers in the Taipei Area:
忠孝醫院 : 台北市同德路87號。
Zhongshiao Hospital: No. 87, Tongde Road, Taipei City.
Telephone (02) 2786-1288
和平醫院 : 台北市中華路2段33號。
Heping Hospital: No 33, Section 2, Zhonghua Road, Taipei City.
Telephone (02) 2388-9608
仁愛醫院 : 台北市仁愛路4段10號。
Ren’ai Hospital: No. 10, Section 4, Ren’ai Road, Taipei City.
Telephone (02) 2709-3600
Why driving while under the influence in Taiwan is BAD NEWS
Not to mention injuring or killing someone on the road is bad in general, it’s also expensive. Currently fines for DUI range from NT$60,000 and up, depending on which city or county the offense was made. Taipei laws have changed as of about 2012/2013 to include upwards of NT$90,000 and jail time. Generally you will lose your license or have it suspended for up to 1 year. In past years Taiwan was very lax on drunk drivers but times have changed. Not to mention possible law suits brought on by the victim or victim’s family.
If you are pulled over for suspicion of drinking and driving you will be required to take a breath test. If you fail you are in trouble. The maximum blood alcohol level in Taiwan is now one of the lowest in the world.
If you plan on drinking, don’t get behind the wheel. (This includes motorcycles, cars, and even registered electric motorcycles). Taxis are so plentiful and cheap throughout Taiwan that it just doesn’t make sense.
Also see: Getting a Local Drivers License | Transportation in Taiwan | Using your International Drivers License
