Getting an eligible license

So far, Taiwanese authorities have signed agreements for reciprocal recognition of drivers' licenses with a number of countries, including the United States, Belgium, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Honduras, Panama, St. Lucia, St. Christopher and Nevis, and Belize, among others.

Holders of valid driving licenses from these countries can easily apply for a local driving permit with a legalized resident permit that is effective for more than one year.

The foreign driving licenses must have been first notarized by an embassy, consulate or representative office of the Republic of China (ROC), or any other agencies authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Drivers may continue to drive in Taiwan until the visa or resident permit expires by exchanging or legalizing the licenses as above.

Applicants from certain countries may need their licenses recognized from a local notary with an extra fee. For the full list, please consult the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation & Communications.

The license exchange costs NT$200.

Obtaining a driver's license

Foreigners who have legitimate resident permits but do not have an accepted international driving permit must go through the testing systems in Taiwan.

Foreigners over 18 years of age may register for a driving test at any local Vehicle Supervision Office. Required documents include a three-month learner's license, a completed application form, several passport-type photos, a health certificate issued by a Taiwan public hospital, a written test, and a road test. The registration costs NT$450 and the license costs NT$200.

Vehicle Supervision Offices offer written materials in multiple languages, including Chinese, English, Japanese, Bahasa Indonesia, Thai, Vietnamese, and Cambodian; yet the actual options of languages may vary in different local offices.

For further information on obtaining an eligible driver license, please log on to http://www.thb.gov.tw/new_english/index.htm, or call for information on the foreigners' hotline at 0800-024-111