【About Taiwan】How & Why Getting Driving License in Taiwan

“Scooter Waterfall” is one of the tourist attractions in Taipei during rush hour. Tons of motorcycles and scooters cascading down the Taipei Bridge in Sanchung district, for outsiders, this is a spectacle; but for local Taiwanese, it’s a daily commuting route from New Taipei City toward Taipei City.

Taiwan, a country of 23 million people with around 14 million motorbikes, has the highest scooter density in the world according to the country’s Environmental Protection Administration. Scooters are the most common way of transportation in Taiwan and most Asian countries due to the affordability and fuel economy.

In 2015, a Pew Research Center study discovered a correlation between national income and vehicles people owned. It shows two-wheelers such as scooters and motorbikes were particularly popular in South and Southeast Asia. More than eight-in-ten people in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia own a scooter according to the study. The next rank was also in Asia with China at 60 percent, India at 47 percent and Pakistan at 43 percent. (Read more: Car, bike or motorcycle? Depends on where you live)

If you live in Taipei (Taipei City and New Taipei City), the convenience of public transportation will probably dominate your daily commuting. Public transport in Taiwan is generally of a high quality and reasonably priced. As long as there is MRT stop, or a major bus stop close to where you live, you can easily get around to almost any part of the city. (Read more: The public transportation system of high quality in Taiwan)

Even though the public transportation being great in Taipei, many people still have a scooter as their primary transportation method. Not to mention living in other cities/counties such as Taichung, Tainan, Hualien, and even Kaohsiung (also has MRT system), scooter and car are highly reliance.

The minimum age to drive a car in Taiwan is 18 as well as light and medium motorbikes (49cc to 249cc). The minimum age to ride large motorbikes (250cc) is 20 years old. Licences are separate for driving cars and motorbikes and scooters. You must have a license to be able to purchase a vehicle.

Motorcycles Driver’s License Test – Required Documents

1. Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) with validity of over six months.
2. Three Recent Photos (taken within the past 6 months, front view of face without hat, 1 inch).
3. Application Form for Driver’s License Test. (available at the office)
4. Local Driver’s License or International Driver’s License plus one copy (only for car license test.)

See more details here: with R.O.C. I.D. card, with R.O.C. I.D. card but no registered address in Taiwan and No R. O. C. ID card, but with Alien Residential Card (ARC) for over 6 months’ validity.

Motorcycles Driver’s License Test – Procedures

• With foreign driver’s license
  • Physical Exam ＞Vision Test ＞Registration ＞Written Test ＞Road Test
  • Apply to Register Your International Driving Permit (IDP) Here.

• Without foreign driver’s license
  • Physical Exam ＞Vision Test ＞Learner’s Permit ＞Attend to Driving School or Self- training ＞Registration ＞Written Test ＞Road Test

Motorcycles Driver’s License Test – Written Test

Written test has 50 questions. Given as a computer test consisted of:

• 20 True-False on Regulations & Road signs
• 30 Multiple-choice on Regulations, Road signs & Situational questions
• You get just 30 minutes to finish the test.

You need to reach 85% for passing. If you get a score lower than 85, you can re-test 7 days after (same as road test).

Question Type	True or False Questions	Multiple Choice Questions
1. Accident Prevent & Defensive driving	2	4
2. Traffic Regulations	5	7
3. Emergency Treatment	1	1
4. Driver’s Ethics & Vehicle Security Check	3	3
5. Traffic (Line) Signals	8	7
6. Railroad	0	2
7. Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance	0	1
8. Environmental Protection Driving	1	0
9. Situational Questions	0	5
Sub-Total	20	30

To see sample questions for written test, please click here.

Motorcycles Driver’s License Test – Road Test

Test Items	Criteria for Deducting Points	Points Deducted
1. Balance in a Straight Line (One re-test is allowed)	(1) Balance in a straight line completed in fewer than seven seconds.	32 Points
	(2) Wheels crossing lines or either one or both feet touching the ground.	32 Points
2. Railroad Crossing	(1) Not stopping to check for trains or running railroad crossing when signal is flashing.	32 Points
	(2) Stalling or stopping at railroad crossing.(Vehicle within the track & sleeper zone)	32 Points
	(3) Letting front wheels cross stop line.	32 Points
3. Zebra Crossing	(1) Not stopping for pedestrians or not allowing them to cross first.	32 Points
	(2) Letting front wheels cross stop line.	32 Points
4. 90 Degree Turns	(1) Wheels crossing lines.	16 Points
	(2) One or both feet resting on the ground while the vehicle is in motion. (points will be deducted repeatedly for this)	16 Points
5. Stop and then Accelerate	(1) Not stopping the vehicle, or crossing the stop line.	32 Points
	(2) Not turning head to observe traffic on the left and right sides before accelerating off the stop line.	16 Points
	(3) Failure to use turn signals when making a turn.	16 Points
6. Changing Lanes	(1) Failure to follow designated routes.	16 Points
	(2) Failure to use turn signals prior to lane changes.	32 Points
	(3) Failure to check rear view mirror and turn head to check traffic on left and right sides before lane changes.	16 Points
7. Forked Road	(1) Running a red light.	32 Points
	(2) Letting front wheels cross stop line at red light.	32 Points
8. Hook Turn	(1) Failure to comply with regulations for hook turn or direct turn.	32 Points
	(2) Failure to comply with regulations for reducing speed to enter the turn waiting area. (brake lights did not flash)	16 Points
	(3) Failure to comply with regulations for stopping in the turn waiting area.	16 Points
9. Full Road Test	(1) Failing to wear a helmet in the designated manner.	16 Points
	(2) Failing to check rear view mirror or turn head to check traffic on left and right sides before accelerating or changing lanes.	16 Points
	(3) Each time the engine is stopped while riding.	8 Points
	(4) Each time the driver’s foot touches the ground while riding.	8 Points
	(5) Each time both feet touch the ground while riding.	16 Points
	(6) Causing an accident or slipping.	32 Points
	(7) Wheels crossing lines.	16 Points
	(8) Each failure to use a turn signal when making a turn.	16 Points
	(9) Failing to reduce speed (i.e., releasing throttle and lightly braking) when making a turn or approaching a railway crossing (must reduce speed to 15 km/h or slower upon seeing railway crossing sign, signal, or marking).	16 Points
	(10) Allowing one or both feet to dangle while the vehicle is in motion, instead of placing feet on the floorboard.	8 Points
	(11) Intentionally or unnecessarily using accelerator and brake at the same time.	8 Points
	(12) Failing to complete the test or skipping any single test item.	32 Points
10. Other technical operations (Multiple deductions apply for each item; no more than 18 points total will be deducted for the following)	(1) Improperly accelerating from rest.	2 Points
	(2) Improper use of the clutch.	2 Points
	(3) Use of the throttle.	2 Points
	(4) Improper use of brakes.	2 Points

Guys good luck on your driver license test! You can go on a Taipei day tour by yourself with scooter! If you successfully pass the tests, please leave some suggestions to newbies down below!