Job Discussion Forums

Northwood · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 66

A question for you long-timers out there:

Quoted from their web site:

The ROC driving license of a foreign resident is valid for the same period as that person's Alien Residence Certificate. Before the driving license expires, one must first extend his/her period of legal residence. He/she can then extend the driving license at an appropriate Motor Vehicle Office without applying a new driving license. However the accumulated total period of validity of a driving license can't exceed six years.

My question: Does this mean you have to sit the test all over again, or can you renew it another way?

jonks · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 1240

Go ask the authorities...

Northwood · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 66

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

jonks · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 1240

Sorry Northwood - re-reading my post I saw how blunt it was.

I have been a really bad mood all day.

Northwood · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 66

Jonks - No problem. We've all been there.

Serious Fun - Thanks for the idea, will check it out.

Have a good weekend.
Northwood.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Northwood · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 66

Clark wrote:

wix · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 250 Location: Earth

It is not really a problem to get a licence issued provided you pass the necessary test and have a valid ARC. The only real issue is how long the licence will be valid for. It is most likely that they will only give you a licence valid for as long as your ARC. Hence, if your ARC expires in two months and you do a test for your licence, then the licence issued will only be valid for two months. If you get your ARC renewed you could then apply for another licence which would probably be valid until the new ARC expires.

When you apply for a licence do ask for a six year licence. You might be lucky, but most likely you will get one that is valid for less than a year (assuming your ARC will expire within one year).

In my own experience I first got a motorbike licence when I came to Taiwan in 1999. I later left Taiwan and returned in 2002. Getting a new motorbike licence was very simple. It was just a matter of giving them my old licence and the ARC.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Wix what you say was true until last year when they brought in a ridiculous new regulation - the one that we have referred to in this thread.

Most people have a one year ARC based upon a one year contract. My understanding is that you must have an ARC of at least one years duration, possibly longer as Northwood points out, to qualify for a licence. If your ARC is one year and you apply for a licence the following day after you receive your ARC then you won't meet the new requirements as I understand them.

kwj · Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 2

There is a lot of misinformation about getting a local motorcycle license that has kept many foreigners from getting one. Both my husband and I have gotten our scooter licenses in Taichung. You have to bring your passport and your ARC to the Motor Vehicle Department; they check to see that between your entry date in your passport and the expiry date on your ARC, you are able to be in the country for at least a year. I just got my license, and my ARC expires in September. My license expires the same date that my ARC does.

I don't know whether different cities do things differently, but this is how it is done in Taichung.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

I am not sure that I would call it misinformation as the information here is correct. It is the appilcability of this information that varies.

Here is an article that I wrote a few years back when I got my car and motorcycle licences in Taipei:

http://forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?t=11830

While most of that still applies today, there are some differences, the major one of which is the policy change that has been mentioned in this thread. This policy change is information and is correctly reported here I believe, the difference between your experience and what the policy states is...well...Taiwan!

Northwood · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 66

Good article Clark.

I think everyone�s done their best on this thread but some confusion remains.

I am going to call the Motor Vehicle Department (Taipei) next week and get answers to the following:

1. Exactly what length ARC does a foreigner need to have to apply for a scooter license.
2. What are the rules re: scooter license renewal (if an ARC is extended and also after holding a license for 6 years).
3. Does each county in Taiwan have the same set of rules.

Seeing as I am community minded (?!?), I am willing to ask any other related questions that people may have. Anyone got anything they want answered? If so, please respond by Wednesday.

I will endeavor to post the answers later in the week, or whenever I get round to doing it.

wix · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 250 Location: Earth

Clark, thanks for the info. I have recently returned to Taiwan and will get my ARC in a week or two. I will go and apply for a licence (using my old licence) as soon as I get the ARC. I guess I will have to wait and see what happens.