Well, that’s how I did it now as well, after no driving school was willing (or able, due to being fully booked) to let me pay for a few hours training there. Passed second time, but used the first time to familiarize myself a bit with the testing range. No theory test for me though: It’s waived if you have an English translation of a valid German license, this translation has to be by the German quasi-embassy. I guess for other nations there exists something similar. I took my own Suzuki Solio there (raising some eyebrows why someone wanting to do the test already has a car registered on his name, and is driving it himself there), which was I guess a bit worse for taking the test because of it’s relatively large turn radius. But at least I had practiced that rear parking a bit before my second try, after also messing up a bit the first time.
One hint: Some items are NOT described in the English description either at the Shilin/Beitou facility, or in their online video. So carefully listen to what they tell you. For example should always have both hands at the steering wheel, or even the going straight test is waived for automatic shift you still have to stop in front of that part of the range. Just practice parking a bit in your car first, go slow, turn the side mirrors down so you see your wheels, start turning rather too early than too late (easier to fix), and don’t worry - it is entirely doable. I only failed due to stupidity the first time
Great Rob. Perhaps you could provide us with a copy and/or links to your article once you have finished. I for one will be glad to put it up on my website, where I try to offer as much of this type of information as possible.
Last week at Taichung DMV I took the driving test. Though my Chinese is high-intermediate, I played dumb in order to get as much help as possible on the course. The official drove me through each part of the course modeling the correct procedures and explaining the points system. I didn’t see them do this for the Taiwanese who were there. Then they had me try the driving test. I’ve been in Taiwan parrallel parking for 4 years with a big van. So I thought it would be easy, but I missed on my first and only try. Then the reverse turn and parking job was also missed so that cost me enough points, I couldn’t even continue with any hope of passing. I should have made them let me continue in hopes of more practice, but I didn’t think of it at the time. My van is too wide too use effectively on their narrow course. So I paid 175 NT to borrow the DMV Ford cars. I guess I wasn’t accustomed to their cars and parking without another car at eyelevel to guide myself. So it is pretty hard. Others on Forumosa concur that typically they failed on their first attempt and that 90% of Taiwanese get their license thru a driving school and not by taking a driving test at DMV.
The counter clerk said she thought driving school was too expensive at $1000 per hour. But when you consider that the DMV test costs about $450 including the rental of their cars, I’d say that $1000 is wellspent. My guess is that after an hour of practice, passing the test immediately by going to the DMV course would be a cinch. I know from this thread it wasn’t easy for somebody to find a driving school that would let him practice for just an hour. I hope for better luck in the Taichung area.
Does it make sense to go to driving school and am I realistic in saying I can just pay for an hour and then pass the test?
The following could be helpful for any southerners out there that want to, just like me, get their driver’s license in Kaohsiung and don’t speak the language fluently enough to do it all comfortably in Chinese:
A few weeks ago I was looking and asking around for an English speaking instructor in Kaohsiung.
Between then and now a lot happend: Today I just passed the driving and written test and here’s what I can recommend if my situation applies to you also:
I signed up with 南陽driving school (on MinZu/民族road) (hny87.myweb.hinet.net/) and asked the lady if there happend to be any English speaking instructors. On day 1 I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my instructor Jackie’s English is actually pretty good and sufficient to teach a non-Chinese speaker how to drive a car.
What I found was that besides his English skills he is actually a very caring and great instructor. He doesn’t have the “just pass the test”-attitude like some others; in fact he really tries to make you drive the course as perfectly as possible. In comparison with my wife’s driving school, 南陽 is so much better in terms of service and the fact that they even schedule a day to let you actually drive on a real road, and not for 5 minutes, but for 1,5 hours on a trip to Tainan (taking turns with another student). What I at first thought was going an unpleasant month of having to go to the school every day and lose a lot of free time turned out to be something I was looking forward to after a while.
Even after class Jackie would share pictures, techniques and links to helpful websites with us in order to better prepare us for the tests, update us on the events that were ahead and giving us some funny articles to read about Taiwanese driving.
I consider myself lucky to be able to speak sufficient Mandarin and I probably could have done it with a non-English speaking instructor, but I am very glad I had Jackie to instruct me. Being able to have the option of using 2 languages for his instructions and my questions taught us both a lot and made us both a lot more comfortable while learning.
But even disregarding language, he is a top guy, perfectionist and caring instructor that I would recommend to everyone; Taiwanese or foreign.
Hello, I know that it’s a little bit stupid here but may I ask about this matter
I have the Taiwanese driving licences which is transferred from my country licences
I know how to drive a car, both manual and automatic
But I have not driven a car for 10 years.
Please anyone suggest a place in Taipei that I can rent a car and practice driving in a safe place?
I think I should practice several hours before I can feel confident to be on road again
Thank you
I don’t know of any places to rent in Taipei, but to he honest you really won’t need practice. Once you learn how to drive it is like riding a bicycle. You will be fine.
I think he’s talking about driving a car. In which I’m not sure if he’s in the right or wrong thread, nonetheless, there are places you can rent around Taipei. I know there’s one right across from the Song Shan train station, but if you have doubt on your ability to drive a car, I’d highly suggest you just stay off the roads in Taipei. It’s no place for drivers that don’t have much confidence in their ability…especially in a rental.
If you have a friend or coworker that is willing, I’d suggest you go that route. Take a trip with them to the riverside parks and practice getting used to the car there.
yes, I knew that he was talking about a car…I made a typing mistake. I meant to say that once you learn how to drive a car (he says he can, but hasn’t driven in 10 years) you always know how to drive a car. He just need to rent a car and go. He will be fine. I think after 5 min you will feel confident. See if you can borrow a friend’s car for an hour. Tell him you will buy him lunch and fill up the tank. Or even throw him some cash. Much better to pay him than a rental company.
Emphasis on the last sentence, and I’d up that to at least 30 minutes or so, if he hasn’t driven in ten years. I never drive here, and every summer I drive a car in Canada again. It’s not a huge shock, but I always make sure that the first 10-15 minutes are somewhere with minimal traffic. And for those 10-15 minutes, I definitely need that. So I think the idea of finding a safe place to practice driving first is a wise idea. I just wish I could provide a good suggestion - take a friend with a car to a driving school, and ask nicely?
Hi, I’ve been practicing driving (our car) with my wife a little bit but have decided to try to organize lessons at a driving school… let’s just say your spouse isn’t always the most ideal teacher plus them teaching for the test and having that practice area etc are obviously plus points. One big however issue is my terrible Chinese.
Can anyone recommend a school in Taichung that could be suitable (be able to offer assistance through English), very early mornings, late evenings or weekends are all cool with me. I live in Beitun, work in a more south central area but don’t mind traveling for lessons (I’ve my scooter license).
You can find a list of driving school in the following website
If there aren’t many options available in Beitun, I recommend exploring other districts that are closer to your workplace or home.
I would recommend taking the first early morning driving class as there are fewer students, allowing you more time to practice. Don’t worry too much about the Chinese language barrier because the cars are equipped with marks and special mirrors to assist you. Since you already have a basic understanding of driving, you can focus on practicing key maneuvers such as backing into a parking space, parallel parking, and navigating S curves all in one go.
Additionally, each instructor typically has only 2 or 3 students per class. If you perform well, you may have the opportunity to do most of the driving on your own.
While some people prefer taking classes at night, it’s important to remember that the driving test takes place during the daytime. This can affect your perception and familiarity with driving conditions. Weekend classes are acceptable, but they can become monotonous as you spend the entire morning driving in circles, and you have to wait for a week until the next class.
Links about the driving schools near Beitun , Taichung:
Enjoy