Potential risks of scooter driving w/o license?

Life Cars & Motorcycles
1

After realizing that I cannot acquire a driver’s license because I don’t have an ARC, I have been considering riding illegally without a license. To limit my risk, I think I am going to buy a <50cc bike as I have been told that the laws regarding the smaller “green license plate” bikes are a lot more lenient. I plan on buying a bike with papers, registered with Taiwanese family so there won’t be any issues with theft or ownership.

One issue I should mention, and have been grappling with, is that I don’t have an American driver’s license (it’s not that I was afraid of driving, it’s more that growing up in NYC, it was just never a necessity – my family never even owned a car). I realize that from a personal safety standpoint this may be ill-advised, but I’ve thought hard about it and I’ve decided that I am willing to risk it because I’ve been riding two wheeled transport in large cities for my whole life, and in Taipei now since I’ve arrived. Granted, a bicycle is not exactly the same, but I feel that I am prepared for what to expect and am generally very comfortable on two wheels.

So my question are:

  1. Am I running a huge risk by doing this?
  2. Is this completely foolhardy? From my searches on this forum, it seems to be somewhat common?
  3. What would the recommended protocol be if I did get pulled over? My Chinese is actually pretty fluent, but would it be better to pretend I don’t speak any Chinese at all?
  4. Are my risks compounded by my lack of American driver’s license? My state ID looks a lot like a regular driver’s license, so I think that if I showed it to a Taipei cop, he wouldn’t be able to pick out that it wasn’t the real deal.

Thanks for the advice.

2

If you don’t have an ARC, are you just visiting or student? If you will stay long term, find a way to get ARC and get the license.

I drove without a license for 2 years but thats me and i was in Taichung.

Taipei is much different with full of mouth sniffing cops, whom might ask for license.
If it is first time riding scooter, be careful too. Unlike a bicycle, scooters make you wanna go full speed most of the time specially the 50cc ones.

If you got hit, its not much of a deal just getting a ticket for driving without license but if you hit someone and no insurance to cover the person get hit, its trouble.

3

In the UK, all police cars are fitted with devices that check the plates of all cars to check you are licenced, insured and MOT’d. Just one is probably enough to get your vehicle taken away, you locked up, and a hefty fine. All three will get the book thrown at you.

Here, they couldn’t give a monkeys.

A bit like you couldn’t give a monkeys if I live or die by wanting to drive without ever taken lessons.

Personal insults removed.

4

[quote=“Big Fluffy Matthew”]In the UK, all police cars are fitted with devices that check the plates of all cars to check you are licenced, insured and MOT’d. Just one is probably enough to get your vehicle taken away, you locked up, and a hefty fine. All three will get the book thrown at you.

Here, they couldn’t give a monkeys.

Personal insults removed.

You wanker. Is it against the rules to call someone a wanker when he says he doesn’t care if he kills someone?[/quote]
Jesus. Drop your last bottle? Quick, pick up the pieces of glass before you get any ideas.

Jibby,
Welcome to forumosa. In answer to your questions.

  1. Not huge.
  2. No, it’s normal.
  3. Playing dumb is what most people recommend, although I would not do that.
  4. No, and not a prob.
5

[quote=“Big Fluffy Matthew”]A bit like you couldn’t give a monkeys if I live or die by wanting to drive without ever taken lessons.

Personal insult removed.[/quote]

Wow. How exactly did you extrapolate that I am indifferent to your life or death by my inquiring about the risks of not having a license?

My post was my attempt at some due diligence before I purchase a bike. I didn’t say I wasn’t going to properly learn; there’s no way I would get on the road if I felt that I wasn’t adequately prepared to do so. My inability to get a license is entirely different than my willingness to properly train myself to ride a bike :unamused:

6

I wasn’t even looking at your post count. Just your disregard for the law, you’ll fit in just fine here.

If I did have a high horse, I wouldn’t go posting in public about how to ride it illegally.

7

If they would let me play by the rules, I would

The length of my stay here is undetermined, as I am here in Taiwan to improve my Chinese as I slowly apply to jobs in China. Because of this, I am hesitant to sign a contract that will allow me to get a one year ARC because I am unsure if I can fulfill that kind of commitment. As a student, are the laws regarding testing or licensing any different?

Thanks Almas for the welcome.

8

Maybe you should consider an electric bike.
No hassles that way.

9

not a huge deal at all, but if you are uncomfortable driving or think you may get in an accident carry some cash with you. your main worry is not the police, but knocking some little xiao-jie off her bike and having to pay her medical fees, and fix her sh*t. If she is scornful, you could be out of pocket.

If you are a skilled rider and drove motorcycles in your home country you’ll be fine. If you are a noob, it may be best to get the piece of paper.

I drove in Taipei for several years without a license, but I had been riding dirt bikes since the age of twelve. Motorcycles always felt like an extension of my body and I was always very comfortable on one. Got in one accident and paid on the spot (I rear ended a taxi). Been pulled over probably more than 50 times and ticketed maybe 3-5 times (though the cameras and parking nannies got me several more times). Only one of those tickets was for no license.

the keys to not getting ticketed:

-when you first get stopped be apologetic, show sincerity and give the arresting officer a ton of face. Cops get warm in the heart when you respect their authority.
-when asked a question apologize and say you cannot speak Chinese.
-when they ask further questions say ‘tiabo’. this will lighten the mood (cops always laugh and immediately tell their colleague that ‘adogah’ said ‘tiabo’).

*at this point I was told to drive away about 65% of the time.

if they continue to hold you, you might be getting a ticket so you want to minimize the damage (ie avoid getting the no license fine which is 6K, or at least that is what it was when I got it, most other fines are 600NT):

-say your wallet and license are at home.
or
-try the excuse that it is your roommate’s scooter and you were just borrowing it to do something.

Whatever you decide to say, just have a story and stick to it.

-you gotta feel the situation out, look embarrassed and continue to apologize. The one time I got my driving without a license ticket I encountered a cop in Tienmu fluent in English, and I turned left instead of a box and turn (what he was there to supervise). I had no hope. Most other times here, there is a way out.
-if played right, you can usually get off, find the right balance of politeness and persuasiveness.

If you get pulled over at night (usually at a sobriety check point) speak Chinese and immediately tell them you haven’t been drinking (they will lean in to smell your breath), and then wave and drive off like it is all good. No need to stick around and play the fool as above, if you are stopped at night, it is about the booze, so stick and move.

I am now retired from the scooter game and drive a car. For a car, a license is a very good idea. Just take your international drivers license to the DMV, pay 200NT and they will staple a Chinese page into it and you are good to go.

10

Don’t promote illegal activity.

(but actually i recommend dont do it, dont two wheel in taiwan, too unsafe, its not even safe on 4 wheels let alone 2)

11

Advice on how to break the law. Lovely. Isn’t there a rule about promoting illegal activities somewhere?

12

Is it legal to poke badgers with a steel object?

13

Ditto.

[quote]Taipei is much different with full of mouth sniffing cops, whom might ask for license.
[/quote]

Yup. I get pulled over often.

And be careful!

14

Yes, right next to the one about not posting personal insults. :whistle:

If you read DD’s post carefully, he is making suggestions on how to deal with cops after being pulled over for any reason, whether the OP has a license or not. Simple advice on how to interact with traffic cops and avoid being ticketed or detained for longer than necessary. Unless my reading comprehension is failing me I don’t see him directly promoting illegal activities and in the last part he even suggests the OP get a license endorsement and ride legal. Until he steps over the line into suggesting illegal activity I’m not going to edit him.

To the OP: Do not ride without a license. It is illegal. You may also be uninsured, which is not only illegal but highly irresponsible.

15

So do you need a license or not to ride a high horse? How do I go about applying for one then?

16

[quote=“the bear”]So do you need a license or not to ride a high horse? How do I go about applying for one then?[/quote]I don’t think you can. It’s a reference to doing the right thing, and being against those who do the wrong thing. Which is why I’m the bad guy in this thread, and elsewhere. Why would anyone give a licence for that?

17

When in Rome, do as the Romans. 42% of Taiwanese people don’t have the appropriate licence for their vehicle and 100% of Taiwanese don’t know how to drive. I know it’s wrong to drive through red lights but I’m not going to be the only mug waiting.

If you do drive without a licence, don’t crash!

18

My advice as always: ride a bicycle or use public transport. I rode unlicensed for years but got tired of doing as DD advises and charming my way out every time I got stopped. It gets a bit old after a while.

19

or move south of taipei where you can drive without a licence forever… i know of someone with a VERY expensive car and has been driving for over 5 years.
Its not me by the way, the guy is taiwanese!.

What im saying is that the police down south are retarded and dont pull anyone over… well in taichung anyway.

20

I wouldn’t listen to the illegal advices because the one who gave them to you will not be there to get you out of shit when it comes. As bad as the Taiwanese drive doesn’t cover the fines that you will have to pay if you get caught.

Note: You got away with it, fine. The next one might not. As a community not cool to encourage people to do something that might have huge repercussions. :loco: