Currently, I do not have a work permit/ARC card. However, I may get one in the future. I am wondering, if I buy a scooter now from someone and ride illegaly, can I change my scooter’s status once I get that visa so that I will be legal?
I need a scooter now, and don’t want to have to wait to buy one, but I also want to try and be legal.
Thanks!
If you don’t have an ARC you can’t
Even if you get a friend to do it, problems can still arise
Scenario 1:
Police stop you …where’s you reg?.. Here it is officer(they can speak english and going I don’t understand doesn’t work with them)…where’s you license?.. No license…where’s your ARC?..no ARC… trouble ahead for you
6000NTD fine for no license…and I think they would be curious about the lack of an ARC unless you had your passport with a visitor visa… jsut don’t let them see the english teaching books hanging out of your bag
Scenario 2:
If you are in an accident without a license you are fully liable
You don’t have to change the reg… as long as the bikes reg is up to date and it is insured, with you having a license, you are ok.
I had a bike and it was in my friend’s name… when I wanted it re-registered I just went and got insurance and then went to the desk at the place on Ba De Rd near Guang Fu and got the bike re-registered.
It doesn’t matter if you friend has left Taiwan and doesn’t have an ARC. The last time I checked you don’t have to have an ARC to buy and own something in Taiwan. I was in Taiwan for a while without an ARC and never got refused at the 711 when I was buying chocolate. Police tend to check reg to ensure the bike is not stolen or when Mayer Ma wants to purchase some new silk ties and not cut into the ity budget.
Try and get an international driving license from your home country, and remember a car license is not a bike license, but would this work in an accident, probably not.
My advice is to get yourself an ARC sooner than later, if you do you can avoid potential serious/expensive problems later
Thank you very much for your time.
Is it easy to get an international drivers licence after I am already here in TW? I did bring my US drivers licence, will that work?
I do have a visitors visa, and it has been extended as I am studying with a school. I just don’t understand why a student with a legal visa can’t buy a scooter and register it in his/her own name.
I am looking at one scooter to buy from a woman, it is registered in her name and the same with the insurance. She is willing to give me a letter saying it can be registered in my name. Could I buy it now, ride it illegally, and when i get the work permit in a few months, change it to be registered in my name?
And how often do foreigners really get pulled over by those nasty police? I always assumed that “I don’t understnad” act would work. Most have told me that most don’t speak English.
Thanks again!
Oops, this one slipped by me as I was out grabbing some dinner. I’ve moved this thread over to the Legal Matters forum, where it will get more appropriate attention.
In the future, run searches in the Legal Matters forum for Visa, Licensing and other issues that involves an ROC gov’t agency. (Click here to do one now)