Driving Test

By Christine Evert

The Taichung Traffic Department is now open on the 2nd Saturday morning of the month, closing at noon.  The address is: 77, BeiTun Road.

As well as some driving know-how, please bring your ARC, PASSPORT and 4 (FOUR) ID PICTURES, as well as some cash.

Best of luck with your licensing endeavors!

Get there early!  First, go to the medical building across the road from the testing center. It has blue, Chinese writing on it.  You will need 2 pictures and NT$90 for the test.  They will fill in the form for you.  Have your ARC handy for your address.  They check weight, height, eye sight, reflexes and color blindness.  Once you have had your paper stamped, go across to the testing center.

Wait in THE LINE!!!! Hand your medical paper to the cashier and REQUEST THE ENGLISH WRITTEN TEST!!!  You will need NT$250 and 2 pictures. The pass mark is 85.  Wait for the instructor to call your name.  An assistant will show you your computer and where to leave your bags, etc.

Once you’ve completed the test, and if you pass, the instructor will hand you some papers. Go fetch your scooter and join the line for testing. Hand your papers to the testing clerk before driving onto test area!!  If you do not pass, you need to wait seven days before taking the written test again.  You only need to pay for the actual test again, not the registration fee. You may not taking the driving part of the test until you pass the written test.

Go SLOW!!! You have to take 8 seconds or longer to finish the straight line test.  If you touch the side the first time, you get a second chance. On the half circle “road,” stop at all solid white lines. If the green light is flashing, SLOW DOWN and STOP!!!  At the pedestrian crossing, just follow the lights, flashing means STOP. At the railroad crossing, stop until the lights stop flashing.

If you pass, wait at the little cubicle and get your license.  You will need to pay NT$200 for your license.  If you do not pass, you need to wait 7 days before taking the test again. 

Did you know….? 

Some people drive scooters to school.
It is more convenient than waiting for a bus and cheaper than a taxi!

They range in size from 50cc to150cc.
The difference in the engine capacity will affect your bike’s body size, gas consumption and ability to get going fast.

It is a tax free vehicle.
There is no tax payable on scooters.  Cars are heavily taxed, especially the larger, newer varieties.

Gas is cheap.
It costs about nt$100 to fill up a standard tank.

Scooters are more maneuverable than cars.
You can pretend you are in an arcade game and weave through peak traffic.

You “need” a license to ride a scooter.
The traffic police are learning English, and will give you a fine if you are caught driving without a license.

If you are in an accident, even if you were not at fault, driving without a license means YOU will be responsible for the accident.

How do you get a license? It is easy. You can check out the demo on this website http://www.tmv.gov.tw/~txg15/site/english.htm and try the moto demo test!