How to get a Taiwanese driving license in 5 easy steps
This article will cover how to get a Taiwanese driving license, either through converting your existing license from your home country, or taking the Taiwanese driving license test and getting a proper Taiwanese driving license. We will tell you both about cars and motorcycles!
When you do / do not need a Taiwanese driving license
For 30 days after arrival to Taiwan, you can drive using your home country’s driving license (provided your home country has a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan).
For the first 6 months after arrival, you can use an international driving license.
You don’t need a driving license to buy a car in Taiwan, but the process will be much easier!
Taiwanese administration is very efficient, and provided a Taiwanese friend can help you write and communicate, converting and getting the driving licenses for scooters, cars and heavy motorcycles is very easy in Taiwan. However, you should be aware of the different Taiwanese driving habits and relatively high chances of accidents.
Where to go – Taipei
Taipei City Motor Vehicles Office – 臺北市區監理所
No. 21號, Section 4, Bade Road, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105
105台北市松山區八德路四段21號
tpcmv.thb.gov.tw 02 2763 0155
8:30AM–5:30PM
Nearby hospital for health check
No. 66號, Guangfu North Road, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105
105台北市松山區光復北路66號
Converting your driving license
To convert your home country’s driving license, you simply need to show up at a DMV with the following documents:
- An ARC (Alien Residency Card)
- A certified translation of your driving license
- A completed driving license registration form
- A health check report from an approved hospital
- Two photos (one inch high)
- Your passport
The process
First, you need to send a copy of your driving license for translation to your embassy in Taiwan. Once you have the translation, I advise you to show up early, first take the pictures at the DMV (specific size), then go to the approved hospital (often located near the DMV). You can get the license in a couple hours, and it is valid 6 years!
It will cost you about 650 NTD : 150 NTD for the pictures, 300 NTD for the health check, 200 NTD for the translation of your license.
Taking the taiwanese driving licence test – cars and motorcycles under 250cc
The written and the driving tests are easy, cheap, and a good way to understand Taiwanese driving habits. If you are lucky you can pass both test and get your license in one day!
Written test
The written test has 50 questions, and you need to have 85% correct to pass. You will need to study because some rules are very specific to Taiwan.
Practical test
The practical test is very easy. You can find the content of the test here:
https://www.mvdis.gov.tw/m3-simulator-drv/index.zul
Motorcycles above 250cc
In Taiwan, you need to have a scooter driving license for one full year before you can train and take the heavy motorcycle test.
You can convert your original license in the same process as described above, but you will have to justify a lot of training hours.
You can train at this school, which was recommended by the DMV. You can take the test every Thursday, and they have bikes at their disposal for the training and the test!
No. 32號, Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, 111
111台北市士林區基河路32號
http://easydrive.com.tw/
(02)2643-3007 ext:8
If you can’t wait and rent a motorcycle, this is the company you are looking for: Bikefarm.net
