How to get a driver license/motor cycle license in Taiwan

[jimzhang]

how to get a driver license/motor cycle license in Taiwan
I have a driver license. I have one from a western country with a reciprocal treaty with taiwan. I have the option of basically trading in my original country license and switching it with a taiwanese one. However, I would prefer an other option whereby I just apply directly for a taiwanese moto/car license?
Is there a way to do it directly.

[cats_meow]

I’m pretty sure there are a lot of threads on this topic.

The process for exchanging your driver license is to go to your embassy place in Taiwan and get it notarized, afterwards I think you have to get that authenticated, but I can’t remember. Then go to the Shilin DMV if you’re in Taipei or to whatever one is local to you if you’re outside Taipei. It’s up to the employee working that day if you have to surrender your license or not. I was supposed to but the employee didn’t take it.

Otherwise if you want the car license then you either have to go to a driving school or I believe some DMVs have the car test. You might have to schedule it. I’m not 100% sure as I didn’t go this route. Search the forum and I’m sure you will find this answer.

To get a scooter license (white plate) you will go to your local DMV and do the computer test. After you pass you will go and do the driving part. You can practice it on their off hours. They also have a scooter to rent for the test for about 25 NTD.

For the big motorcycles (red plate) I believe you have to go to a class for this. If you have a motorcycle license from your home country you might be able to exchange it (I’m not 100% sure on this) but you have to have proof that you had so many hours of safety training.

All of these will require a physical before you can take the test. There is usually a doctor’s office really close or inside the DMV that will do these.

[MalcolmReynolds]

Request for the latest information regarding getting a Taiwan driver’s license in 2026.

Hey folks,

I need some information for an acquaintance who would like to get a Taiwan driver’s license. I’m pretty sure that the information based on my own personal experience is way out of date and most likely no longer applicable. Therefore, I’m soliciting my good neighbors of Forumosa to help me out.

@How I got my license in the 2000

Back in the day, I walked into the DMV with my passport and ARC and two photos. I paid the fee, entered the exam room and had my height and weight taken, checked my eyes, did the “grip and squat medical exam” and then proceeded to take the written exam. After completing the written exam I went to the driver’s test area and against the examiner’s advice, I opted for the manual transmission test. It was not difficult like they had tried to warn me and I easily passed. I then went down to a little booth where they made my license and laminated it with my picture. Easy peasy, no issues. Wow, 26 years ago.

Now, I’m hearing rumors that you can no longer just stroll in and take the exam like I did back in the day. Apparently, you are now required to go to one of the driving schools and pay for the instruction and jump through a bunch of hoops to get it done.

Can anyone give me the straight scoop and possibly an online link as to the latest requirements and procedures?

Note: I’m not interested in any type of license exchange information. The individual in question has never had a motor vehicle license, so this is not an option.

[forformosa]

You can either arrange the test on your own (which involves filling in all the paperwork yourself) and do it using a friend’s bike or a test center rental OR you can go to a motorcycle school that handles all the paperwork for you, shepherds you around the test building, and lets you practice on the same bike they lend you for the test.

Driving schools also have special slots that aren’t available to the public so if you can’t find a test slot on the public website, the driving schools can often get you an earlier test.