In this guide you will find out everything you need to know about driving in Taiwan including how to drive in Taiwan with your current license, converting your current driving license to a Taiwanese one or applying for a new Taiwanese license.
Public transport in Taiwan is generally of a high quality and reasonably priced. It is advised that non-Taiwanese use public transport or rent a car with a chauffeur, as driving in Taiwan may be a challenge for the inexperienced. However if you would like to drive in Taiwan you need to be aware of the following.
The minimum age to drive a car in Taiwan is 18 and driving licenses must be carried at all times. The minimum age to ride light and medium motorbikes (49cc to 249cc) is 18 years old. The minimum age to ride large motorbikes, (250cc) is 20 years old.
An international driving license is required to drive in Taiwan which can be applied for in your home country. Countries with reciprocal agreements with Taiwan can use their driving license for up to 30 days. Those who wish to stay longer than 30 days and continue to drive need to complete an International Driving License Permit Application for their individual country.
If your country does not have a reciprocal arrangement with Taiwan for international driving licences you will need to convert your current driving license to a Taiwanese one or apply for a driving license in Taiwan. You can find out more information about individual countries’ reciprocal arrangements here .
If you are planning to stay in Taiwan for a long period of time, you should convert your driving license to a Taiwanese one. To do this you will need the following documentation:
To certify your license visit a Taiwanese embassy or consulate in your home country. You can also visit your home country’s embassy in Taiwan. Applications need to be made within a year of arrival at the Motor Vehicles Office .
Applications should be made to the motor supervision office . Along with a fee, the application requires a resident’s permit (valid for up to a year), 3 passport photos and a medical report. The application includes a complete written test available in 7 languages.