Obtaining a driver’s license in Taiwan is not an easy task and not really worth the effort. Foreigners are rarely pulled over in Taiwan. Few of the police speak English well enough to deal with you. If you strictly follow the traffic laws, you shouldn’t have any problems, but if you absolutely must to have it, my advice is below.
Taiwanese Driver’s License
1. Fill out the medical form. You will have to go to the DMV and pick up the form before you can do anything else. You will then need to take this form to a hospital and have it filled out.
2. Several copies of your visa photo. If you have this on cd, take it to a local photo shop (Fuji Film is popular) and ask for the size need for a motorcycle license. I believe it is four copies needed.
3. Now you are ready to study for the written test. The link below gives you access to many of the questions asked on the test. It is offered in English, so you won’t have to memorize Chinese. http://www.tealit.com/article_categories.php?section=transportation&article=drivers_license
4. After passing the written exam, you will need to pass the driving test. The tests are usually conducted every hour and you are free to practice in between these testing times. It is highly recommended to practice before attempting the test.
5. After passing the tests and submitting the above items, you should have your license!
Registering Your Motorbike
1. To do this, you must have the original passport or ARC of the previous owner of the bike (copies are not accepted).
2. You need to get a stamp made of your name exactly how it is on your passport or ARC (alien residence card). The seller will need a stamp as well. This costs around 85NT.
3. The easiest way to deal with the registration is to take it to a mechanic and they will do everything for you for a small extra fee.
Some Tips for the Road
- Right turns are not permitted at a red light.
- Motorbikes turning left usually rush in front of the oncoming traffic at the light. The oncoming traffic yields to this.
- Horns are used to make you aware of a vehicles location with a short tap of the horn. It is not normally used to show frustration with another driver.
- Always be aware, it is common to see motorbikes going the wrong way and usually in your lane. Also, keep your distance from parked cars. You don’t want to get hit by an exiting driver.
Escape From the American Dream 