I just got my ROC drivers license yesterday in Taipei driving my own car. Just tell the person who sets you up with the written/computer test that you want to use your own car. You need to provide the car registration. Nobody was bothered that I drove up to the test without a license and noone accompanying me.
Also, I found out that there are scooters there that you can use for the motorcycle driving test.
One more note, they only wanted to see my ARC, no passport necessary. I had copies made, but the woman on the phone said that they can make them there at the office. There are three photo booths behind the information counter when you enter --NT$140 for four pix-- you need two. You also do the “physical exam” there. I found the people doing that quite rude, but fast. Most everyone else was pretty helpful. I don’t know if it helps to speak Chinese, perhaps some.
I was certainly glad when the whole thing was over and done! However, I would like to look into the six year license challenge. I wonder if there is anything new concerning that.
Thanks for the great post! About the six year license, you should contact Richard Hartzell sooner rather than later - he can file an appeal for you and can pretty much guarantee you a six-year license, but there is something like a 30 day window in which to do it.
That’s not true of other test centres and I was surprised that you were allowed you owncar. In Taipei County you have to use one of the cars there, or a car from your driving school.
Did you do the whole thing in one day? In Taipei County you can’t do the practical on the same day as the written.
[quote]In Taipei County you can’t do the practical on the same day as the written.
[/quote]
That must be a new thing – my wife did hers in Taipei County about 6 years ago, written section first, followed right away by the practical.
If you use your own car, be aware that if you sit the test in an automatic transmission car, you won’t be licensed to drive a manual. Vice versa is OK.
Just wanted to point out that what’s been said above regarding Taipei County also holds true for Hsinchu City & County in my experience: test portions to be taken on separate days and no use of private cars. As for scooters, I’m not sure.
Anybody know what the rule is regarding getting a motorcycle license when already holding the car license? Do I need to take both written & driving test again or just the driving? Thanks, Xpet.
From the discussions here, and on the thread about my experiences, it seems obvious that the situation between Taipei city and Taipei county varies.
If you take both tests on the same day, you can get away with only doing the written test for the car licence, and the practical for both the car and motorcycle. I would be pretty sure that if you are going for the motorcycle test itself, you would have to do the written and practical parts, regardless of the fact that you already hold a car licence.
brian, I asked them today (when I was there to renew my car-license) and they said I’d only have to do the practical (i.e. “road”-)test. But I still share your scepticism, somehow their info didn’t seem very convincing, wouldn’t be the first time requirements like these suddenly change on the fly … I’ll try to get my license asap & will post my experiences here. Xpet.
About the six year license, you should contact