How to Get a Driver's License in Taiwan as a Foreigner (2026)

Can foreigners drive in Taiwan with an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

Yes, but only for a limited time. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid in Taiwan for 30 days from the date of your entry. After 30 days, you must obtain a Taiwan driver's license to legally drive.

Important notes about IDPs:

• The IDP must be accompanied by your home country driver's license — it is not valid on its own
• IDPs are only valid for the vehicle categories listed (e.g., car, motorcycle)
• Renting a car in Taiwan generally requires a valid IDP or Taiwan license plus a major credit card

If you are staying in Taiwan for more than 30 days with a valid ARC or APRC, you need a Taiwan-issued driver's license.

How to exchange a foreign driver's license in Taiwan?

If your home country has a license exchange agreement with Taiwan, you can exchange your foreign license without taking a written or practical test. This is the fastest and most common route for expats.

Step-by-step process:

1. Prepare documents:

   • Original foreign driver's license (valid)
   • Official Chinese translation of your license (by a certified translator or TECO)
   • ARC or APRC
   • Passport
   • 1–2 passport photos (white background)
   • A completed application form (available at the Motor Vehicle Office)
   • Fee payment

2. Visit your local Motor Vehicles Office (監理所, Jiānlǐ Suǒ)

   • Taipei City: No. 92, Jinan Rd., Zhongzheng District
   • There are offices in all major cities; some accept walk-ins, some require appointments

3. Submit documents and pay fees

4. Receive your Taiwan license — usually issued the same day or within a few days

Your original foreign license will be returned to you after the exchange (Taiwan does not confiscate it).

Which countries qualify for license exchange without a written test?

Taiwan has bilateral license exchange agreements with many countries. As of 2026, the following can exchange without taking any test:

If your country is NOT on the list, you will need to pass a written test (and possibly a practical test) even if you hold a valid foreign license. Contact your local Motor Vehicles Office or check the Taiwan Motor Vehicle Administration (公路監理資訊) website for the most up-to-date country list.

How to get a Taiwan driver's license from scratch?

If you do not hold a foreign license or your country does not have an exchange agreement with Taiwan, you can apply for a Taiwan license by passing the required tests.

For a regular car license (普通小型車):

1. Written test (學科測驗): 50 multiple-choice questions; passing score is 85/100

   • Available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Thai
   • Can be taken at any Motor Vehicles Office; many offices offer online scheduling
   • Study materials are available free of charge on the official website

2. Practical driving test (術科測驗): Road course test at a designated testing ground

   • Tests basic vehicle control, parking, and road rules
   • You must pass the written test before taking the practical test

3. Eye and color vision test: Done at the Motor Vehicles Office on the day of your application

For a motorcycle license (普通重型機車):

• Separate written and practical tests specifically for motorcycles
• Taiwan's road conditions make motorcycles very common — this is popular among expats

You do not need to attend a driving school (駕訓班), but many expats find it helpful for practicing the practical test course.

What are the costs involved?

Getting a Taiwan driver's license is inexpensive:

Total for exchange route (no test): approximately NT$500–800

There are no annual renewal fees for having a license — you only pay when you apply or renew the physical card.

How long is a Taiwan driver's license valid?

Before expiry, you must renew your license at a Motor Vehicles Office. Renewal requires an eye test but no driving test. The renewal fee is NT$200.

Note: If your ARC expires and you leave Taiwan, your Taiwan driver's license remains valid for 6 years — it is not tied to your ARC validity.

Tips for foreign drivers in Taiwan

• Carry your license at all times — driving without a license can result in fines
• Traffic is left-hand drive (same as the US, Europe — you drive on the right side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the left)
• Scooters are everywhere — be extra cautious at intersections
• Speed cameras are very common — stick to speed limits
• Never drink and drive — Taiwan has strict DUI laws; legal limit is 0.15 mg/L (breath) or 0.03% BAC (blood)
• Parking: Use designated parking lots or metered street parking; illegal parking is heavily fined and your car may be towed
• The 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic governs IDP validity; make sure your IDP is from a country that signed this convention