Teaching English and Living in Taiwan::Driver's Licenses

This Report applies to the following countries: Canada, UK, Jamaica, Australia, India, Ireland, USA, NZ Land.
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What you have:	What you can get	Scooter 50cc	Car	Truck, SUV up to 3,500 pounds	Motor -cycle, Scooter 100cc	Motor -cycle, scooter 125cc
No ARC, Just International DL & Local DL & Passport:	Sticker on IDL	yes	yes	yes	no	no
ARC, International DL, Local License & Passport:	ROC License how	yes	yes	yes	no	no
ARC, International DL Only & Passport:	ROC License how	yes	yes	yes	no	no
ARC, Local License Only & Passport:	ROC License how	yes	yes	yes	no	no
ARC & no License at all & Passport:	ROC License how	yes	yes	yes	no	no
What the locals do:	ROC License how	yes	yes	yes	no	no

Within 30 days of being here, take your International Drivers License, your passport and one picture to your local Motor Vehicles Office. Show them that your here and your not overstayed, and they will put a sticker in your IDL. That's it. No written test, no road test.

This sticker permits you to drive in Taiwan. Your IDL will remain valid in Taiwan until it expires, even if you leave and return. In speaking with the director, he noted that the published information has directed Americans to bring their LOCAL license from home as well. Even if your not from the states, YOU SHOULD ALSO BRING your local license, in case they ask for it when you apply. Cost: no charge, free

Having this sticker in your license will allow you to drive, but you won't be allowed to legally own a scooter, a car or buy insurance. Why? Because, as a tourist, you are too transient, is the reasoning. Taiwan has mandatory third party injury insurance, so if you are hit, and the guy has a license, then he should have insurance. Myth: if you are in an accident without a license, regardless of what happened, you are at fault. Not true. You would be cited for driving without a license, but responsibilty for the accident would be determined on the basis of who did what, not who has a license.

If you want to ride a 100cc, a 125cc or more, you have to take an extra test, both written and road. The same is true for locals. The initial sticker you get in you IDL is the same as a basic license in Taiwan; it entitles you to drive a car, truck or SUV up to 3.5 tons, but a scooter only up to 50CCs. Cost for the extra test:NT$250. Would they cite you for this on the street? I imagine it's piled on if you are involved in an accident. UPDATE: 5/20/2002 - In response to some Forum questions, spoke with the DMV director regarding motorcycles. If your International Driver's License has the added right to drive a 100cc or greater motorcycle, that WILL carry over in Taiwan. Get as high a rating as you can and you can avoid the extra test.