Correct, it’s needs to be notarized and verified by TECO. I think there is an error in the statement above somewhere, perhaps your state is not recognised or you have not notarized it first.
Bummer! I just walked in, showed them my Ohio license (without any translation, verification or notarization, and without an international license), and based on reciprocity they just handed me a Taiwanese license (after a quick trip to the hospital to check my eyes, height and weight). That was almost 17 years ago, though. I guess things have changed.
“I have a lot to say … but no one is listening”
I’m listening Belgian Pie, what is going on?
Well, since this is merger for all, I’ll talk about U.S. States. Are there any U.S. States that will convert the Taiwan car driver license directly to a U.S. driver license?
Been here so long my old one expired a few years ago so I’ve been using my Taiwan driver license with “Republic of China International Driving Permit” (available for a couple hundred NT) to drive and rent cars in U.S. and other countries. Haven’t had any problems using this to rent and drive cars in U.S., France, and Thailand.
Recently I found out that the reciprocal license can be applied for you through your local vehicle license office , they will get it checked through the MOFA also, go there and talk to them directly.
Wow! Unbelievable. You mean, Taiwan treats the nationals from different countries in different ways? I am shocked! 
I hope SatTV doesn’t see this!
I was able to get an official, jen,youwhine Taiwan driving license by going to the AIT to notarize my statement that I am legally licensed to drive by my home state. I went to K-town’s branch; I understand the Taipei office can actually provide verification of your driving status back home. Then I was able to go to the local DMV and get my license without having to take the written or road test.
This is great and all, but reciprocity, by definition, works both ways…the thought of a Taiwanese driver being able to get a driver’s license so easily a really troubling. I suppose I can take comfort in the fact that traffic cops are more willing to stop bad drivers and perhaps the average person who would go abroad and drive is more aware of international driving standards.
I have rarely been stopped in traffic while driving my scooter or my MC in Taiwan, but both times I have been stopped I showed them my driver’s license from Vancouver, B.C. and they said that was fine, carry on.
I know they were just trying to get rid of me but perhaps some police in Taiwan do honor a driver’s license from Canada out of confusion. I know there is an agreement between most, if not all, Canadian provinces and American states to honor each other’s licenses. Although that is a more obvious and practical arrangement, I have never seen the agreement officially printed anywhere.
Actually, I just took out my Vancouver DL right now and nowhere on it does it say that I am allowed to use it in the 'States. But I know I can so perhaps the deal between Canada and Taiwan is one of those unofficial things? 
After reading this post, I am still unclear whether I can use my Minnesota driver’s license to get a Taiwanese driver’s license. Can someone clarify?
Does anyone have a link to the list of countries with reciprocal agreements? Couldn’t find it online… thanks!
Wow! Unbelievable. You mean, Taiwan treats the nationals from different countries in different ways? I am shocked!
I hope SatTV doesn’t see this![/quote]
My point was that you can apply through your local vehicle registration office, they will handle the paperwork including dealing with MOFA certification.
I got an ARC , a Belgian and Philippines driving license. Well, I Can’t get a Taiwanese one unless I apply in Belgium for an International one, which can not be done remotely.
Even the Belgian Trade office is not eligible to certify that my Belgian one is legit. :loco:
Bottom line- those reciprocal agreements look nice on paper but reality might be different than expected. Beware.
[quote=“ceevee369”]I got an ARC , a Belgian and Philippines driving license. Well, I Can’t get a Taiwanese one unless I apply in Belgium for an International one, which can not be done remotely.
Even the Belgian Trade office is not eligible to certify that my Belgian one is legit. :loco:
Bottom line- those reciprocal agreements look nice on paper but reality might be different than expected. Beware.[/quote]
[quote]
Convertible to local driver’s license?
Belgium (Domestic Driver License)
Yes (with residence permit)
It’s about the Taiwanese license but reciprocity counts[/quote]
thb.gov.tw/TM/Menus/new_engl … Europe.pdf
No, wrong, you can get a Taiwanese one with your Belgian license …
Here is how it goes … have your license translated to Chinese by an official translator in Belgium, have it stamped by the translator’s court of justice (verifying her/his signature), have it stamped by the court in Brussels that verifies the local court’s stamp and signature, than have it stamped by the Ministry of foreign affairs that verifies the national court’s stamp and signature, than take it to the TECO for verification of the Ministry of Foreign affairs stamp … than take all (including you original license) to the motor vehicle office of your choice in Taiwan, they’ll hand you a Taiwanese license. They have a huge book with images of worldwide drivers licenses to check if your’s is real.
I got both my licenses this way (car and heavy motorcycle)
The TECO in Belgium can not verify your license it’ll verify the translation … 
And while you’re at it … get an international license too (both Taiwanese and Belgian), always handy if you travel outside Taiwan.
I did something that actually would not be possible … getting a Belgian international license while your domicile is not in Belgium … but hey, they gave it, not my fault. 
[quote]I. Basic rules:
A. Foreigners wanting to drive in the Republic of China (ROC) should first meet the drivers’ qualifications stipulated in the ROC driving regulations. And the issuance of driving licenses to foreigners is based on the “principles of equality and reciprocity” between the ROC and the counterpart nations.
B. Foreigners holding valid driver’s licenses issued by a counterpart nation that upholds the “principles of equality and reciprocity” may lawfully drive vehicles in the first thirty days coming to Taiwan. There is no need to apply for another driving license. For those planning to drive for more than 30 days should first apply for motor vehicle extension at respective city and county governments. The maximum extension time is one year.
C. Foreigners who want to engage in long-term driving in the ROC should replace their original driver’s license with an ROC license or take the rules test and road test here in order to get licenses issued by the ROC government. Whether a foreigner can directly replace the license issued in his/her nation will depend on whether or not the foreign nation has agreed on the “principles of equality and reciprocity.” Details and a list of foreign nations qualified for the “principles” category are available at the following Web pages:
- thb.gov.tw/TM/Menus/Menu03/Menu03_01.aspx (Chinese version) of the Directorate General of Highways (DGH), which was previously named the Taiwan Highway Bureau (THB).
- thb.gov.tw/TM/Menus/new_english/index.htm (English version)[/quote]
I recently had the displeasure of trying to deal with the staff at the Ba De road offices in Taipei when trying to apply for a Taiwan license under a reciprocal agreement with my home country, some of the staff are less than pleasant and less than helpful…Anyhow, after several trips I had all the documentation in place but at the last hurdle they stated that for my country, Taiwan will issue a drivers license but require that my home countries drivers license is handed up to them, well FT! I’m not prepared to give up a license that is recognized and usable in most countries in the world for a Taiwan license which isn’t.
If you are thinking of applying under a reciprocal agreement check the regulations carefully, unfortunately in order to do this you need to fix a contact with a licencing office official as their websites offer various conflicting information, I suggest avoiding the Ba De road offices if you can. Note that a friend of mine applied under the same reciprocal agreement and got a Taiwan license and was able to hold onto his own at a different office…I’ll be applying there.
There is absolutely no reason to give up your license
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