I don’t have any drivers license at all, neither Swedish nor Taiwanese. Is there any type of scooter or such that I’m allowed to drive in Taiwan? And if so, how much will it cost?
Sorry, no.
I read in the paper that you even need a license for an electrically-assisted bicycle now, though it might be worth checking that with the Department of Motor Vehicles office.
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does this mean that they changed the reg’s … as previously (to my knowledge) you could drive a 50 cc scooter without a license?
just wondering, so i don’t pass out false info …
You could drive a nail into a piece of wood.
Hope that helps.
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For a 50cc, I think you still need to have a car licence to drive that but I may be confusing this with back home.
That’s right. Need a car licence.
Golf? C’mon, what were you thinking? Where in the world can you (legally) drive without a licence? You may be in Taiwan but you haven’t quite stepped off the planet. Get out and get yourself a licence. Get legal.
HG
Another MYTH. You have always needed a licence. I suggest you ride a bycycle if you don;t want to get a valid drivers licence. 
Things you can ride in Taiwan without a license:
- Skateboard
- Rollerblades
- Bicycle
- Horse
If you are still not sure, than consider any machinery that can move under it’s own power off-limits… 
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sorry - without a MOTORCYCLE license. that you can drive a 50 cc scooter with a car license appears not to be a MYTH, but is still strange.
Ha! Sit on lawn mower. You can drive one of those without a licence.
For a license for a “light motorcycle” i.e. a 50, you need to do the written test only.
I seem to remember a new rule being passed a while back that meant car drivers could no longer use their licenses to ride a 50. But I might be mistaken.
That’s almost like here in Sweden then. Is the test hard? Is it expensive? Is it available in English?
It’s not terribly expensive. A few hundred NT though I can’t remember exactly how much.
Yes it’s available in English. You do it on a computer, listening to a slightly crackly recording and pressing buttons on a pad.
You need to buy or borrow a copy of the English version of the test preparation booklet. It’s available from Department of Motor Vehicles offices. Memorising the questions and answers is not too difficult. (The actual test, of course, just tests you on a selection of the questions in the booklet.)
Why not do the practical test too, then you’re not limited to a 50? Once you’ve passed the written section you can take the practical, passing which entitles you to a license for motorbikes and scooters of up to 250cc. It’s not too difficult apart from the slow straight-line bit which is a little tricky.
If you’re old, you can also ride an electric wheelchair on the road, apparently without a license.
that’s the strange thing in Taiwan … 50cc, no drivers license or at least no practical test … but the same road rules apply and you can crash the thing into a truck as fast as a 125 or 250 … because, a 50 cc is not limited in power or speed as is in parts of Europe where you can not drive faster than 25 Km/h class A motortcycle or 45 Km/h class B motorcycle both limited to 49cc and the license is called a certificate
Motorcycle license category A over 49 cc needs a big license, no power or cylinder volume limits set yet although they are talking about it
For each class of vehicle you need a seperate drivers license hence test or classes … in Europe they are starting to do the same … once the ‘European’ license is a fact.
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You can drive one of those Segways without a license.
You used to be able to ride up to a 49cc scooter with a VALID CAR LICENSE (i.e. local license or international permit within the prescribed time limits) but as far as I know you now need a separate light motorbike license.
You will need an ARC valid for at least one year to apply for the light motorcycle license (<50cc, theory test only). I would recommend you take the practical test for a ‘normal heavy motorcycle’ license as this allows you to ride anything up to 250cc (!). Both tests are insanely easy and just eat a few hours out of your day.
Actually, if you live in Taipei I would recommend that you forget about scooters and enjoy the wonderful public transport system. You will get around the metropolitan areas more quickly and safely on the MRT or a bicycle.
There is a great sticky thread in this section dedicated to getting your car/motorcycle license so I suggest you start there.
It’s crazy… in the UK licenses are limited by BHP and not cylinder capacity.
It’s pretty scary that after riding in a straight line really slowly and proving I can tell the difference between green and red I’m allowed to hop straight on a 250cc bike with maybe 35+BHP. That’s some serious power to hand a novice rider.
Having said that though, the biggest liability on Taiwanese roads are the kids and old women riding 50-125cc scooters. Few stop at red lights, most seem to be unaware of basic road laws and have a dangerous lack of common sense. In fast moving traffic I’ve seen accidents caused by mom + 2 kids on her 50cc hairdryer slamming the breaks in panic.
Ironically the big bikers are invariably the safest and most courteous road users I see out here.
[quote=“belgian pie”]that’s the strange thing in Taiwan … 50cc, no drivers license or at least no practical test … but the same road rules apply and you can crash the thing into a truck as fast as a 125 or 250 … because, a 50 cc is not limited in power or speed as is in parts of Europe where you can not drive faster than 25 Km/h class A motortcycle or 45 Km/h class B motorcycle both limited to 49cc and the license is called a certificate
Motorcycle license category A over 49 cc needs a big license, no power or cylinder volume limits set yet although they are talking about it
For each class of vehicle you need a separate drivers license hence test or classes … in Europe they are starting to do the same … once the ‘European’ license is a fact.[/quote]
There are those ‘scooters’ for handicapped or old people. I don’t think you need a license for it as they run not faster than 15km/h. It might be enough, if you have time.
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A few days ago I spotted one of them in the middle of the road 8pm doing a left turn at the traffic lights from the centre of the road. The old guy had been cunning and was wearing dark grey clothes on his dark scooter with no lights at a poorly lit country intersection. I was very lucky to see him. If not he would have been rapidly propelled to 80kmh and broken the scooter speed record.