Just joined the Taiwan driver’s club
I just joined the Taiwan driver’s club as well. I went to the Taipei Motor Vehicle Office Northern Branch near Shilin in Taipei Wednesday afternoon.
I was able to get through the application, health, photographs and car written test then. However, there’s no practical tests for car or scooter on Wednesday afternoons or Monday mornings.
This morning, I went back to the office for the driving test itself and after reading through the handbook a couple of times, being walked through the course via Chinese instructor and wall board, I went out and repeated Todd’s experience of hitting the sensor on the garage, but was fine elsewhere.
After getting the car drivers license, I went back through to the testing gal for my heavy scooter practical test. After showing her my new car license and handing her 150NT and my application, I was told to proceed.
I was walked through the 4 things to be tested on, told to pick a helmet and hopped on the scooter they provided for 25 NT. Once told to go, I started out too slowly and put a foot down. Fail. On the second round, I started out too quickly and didn’t get slowed down in time and passed the 7 second course in 6. Fail.
Oh well, next Thursday I’ll see the course and scooter again. In hindsight, scooter practice of standing stop to slow, straight crawl for 10 seconds is what I’d do. You only get the length of a scooter to get your feet up, so it’s more of the start that’s hurting me.
Thanks for the blog on “Getting A Taiwanese Driver’s License” MJ, it helped me just get out and get the license finally.
Also, I have a current New Hampshire drivers license and motorcycle endorsement. It didn’t seem to help make things any smoother as in not requiring a test or such.
Your results may vary with the MVO. Also, for my written test (90/100), I read the resources at Tealit Drivers License. During my practice test at the MVO, I still ran into a few unknowns. Principally, what’s the police officers hand signals. I didn’t find those in English anywhere.
Good luck!
June 28, 2010 - 7:14 PM
Michael,
You will have to show me how to do this when I get to Taiwan. I got my scooter license in 1988 by just showing up and smiling. I was buying a motocross bike, but did not have it, so one of the other testees lent me their scooter (had never ridden one). They made me go thru a cool obstacle course, I vaguely remember the “leg up” test you mentioned. Then they gave me a brief eye test. Anyway, I did not do well on the driving part but I think they did not want to deal with me so passed me. It was during my pre-Mandarin days…
June 29, 2010 - 8:03 AM
Paul, I’d be glad to try and help. The 50cc scooter license requires a written test. Car license is driving and written, but includes 50cc scooter. Over 50cc scooter is the extra driving test that I failed. With some practice later this week, I’ll readily pass the slow balance test. Also, I need to remember to breath and relax, I was pretty tense for the riding test.
Regarding pre-Mandarin days, I’ve recently been playing completely dumb at times, just to not have to deal with Chinese rules. In return, I get what I want. Not always a great thing, but sometimes it’s frustrating that something as simple as “I want to ride my bike over there” can turn into a 10-minute discussion with a local.