Scooter Driving in Taiwan!

Scooter Driving in Taiwan!

Riding my scooter after an Advent mass in Tainan, Taiwan (circa 2012)

It's summer time again here in Taiwan and it's definitely the best time to go traveling! However, it's a bit of a hassle to go around specially to remote places that are inaccessible to public transportation such as MRTs, trains, and even buses. Scooters, on the other hand, is a pretty popular mode of transportation both short and long distance travels most specially here in Taiwan. Scooters here in Taiwan are given access to numerous roads and highways but are banned to enter the expressways (except for motorcycles above 250 cc).

The question is, how do you get a motorcycle license in the first place?

GETTING A LICENSE: THE REQUIREMENTS

In order to get a license here in Taiwan, you should go to the nearest Motor Vehicle Office in your city together with the following items:

1. A.R.C card(at least one year residence period).
2. Three identical bust taken within the past six months one inch glossy printing paper black and white or color photos, no composite photos, full face front view with a plain white background and no wearing hat or headgear except for religious reasons, without dark glasses or glasses with tinted lenses unless it is for medical reasons.
3. A registration form with the qualified physical examination.
4. Fee: NTD 250.

The photo above is applicable to all government documents here in Taiwan

NOTE: The Physical examination is valid for a year and can be used as many times as you can (I used it for three times.. and I feel embarrassed that I failed three times T^T). 

GETTING A LICENSE: THE WRITTEN EXAM

After providing the requirements to the officer-in-charge,you are now then qualified to take a 40-item, multiple choice, 1-hour long, computer based examination. This grueling examination is based on current rules and regulations as well as decision making scenarios and basic motorcycle etiquette. The test is translated into 8 different languages: Mandarin, English, Japanese, Bahasa (Indonesia), Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Burmese language. 

The applicant must have a score of more than 85% or a maximum of 6 incorrect answers. This exam can be taken as much as you can for one year. 

If you fail the written exam, you can only take it again after one week.

All materials are free to download from their website which can be found by clicking here!

NOTE: The items are translated accordingly, however, be careful as the translation may be far from its actual meaning. I have failed the test three times due to this reason.

TIPS:

1. NEVER RELY ON THE PRACTICE TEST ON THE WEBSITE, IT IS NOT ENOUGH
2. READ THE MATERIALS THOROUGHLY AND REMEMBER THE CORRESPONDING ANSWER
3. DO NOT RUSH, YOU HAVE AN HOUR! MAKE GOOD USE OF IT!

GETTING A LICENSE: THE PRACTICAL EXAM

The practical exam on the other hand is a very interesting part of the examination process. This exam can be taken on the same day right after receiving your passing mark for the written examination. 

In this part of the exam, the applicant must have a score of more than 85%. The points to be deducted are based on the following criteria provided by the Licensing office:

First part: Straight-line stability test Straight-line balance riding: (only one makeup test is allowed.)

1. This part is scored independently and only one makeup test is allowed.
2. The time for passing the destination shall not be less than seven seconds.  Wheels touching pipes (Do you mean a fence or barrier at the side of the road?) or feet touching the ground is treated as failure.
3. Those who pass this part shall continue with the test for dealing with aspects of driving in real road conditions; those who fail must sign up again for the driving test after at least seven days.

Criteria for deducting points:

1. Straight-line balance riding completed in fewer than seven seconds? 2 points.
2. Wheels touching pipes---32 points
3. Touching the ground with one or both feet---32 Second Part--- Test for dealing with aspects of driving in real road conditions Railroad crossing:
   1. When the alarm bell rings and the red light flashes, the examinee shall stop at the stop line; the front wheel shall not go over the stop line.
   2. In the event of power failure or breakdown of equipment such that the light is not working, the examinee still has to stop and then continue only after confirming no trains are coming from either side.

Criteria for deducting points:

1. Not stopping to check or driving straight through the railroad crossing ---32 points
2. Engine stalling or the driver stopping at the railroad crossing---32 points
3. Front wheel going over the stop line when stopping---32 points Forked road intersection:
   1. The examinee has to ride while taking due note of the signs. He or she has to stop in front of the stop line when the green light flashes and then becomes a yellow light and then a red light: the front wheel must not go over the stop line.
   2. In the event of power failure or breakdown of equipment such that the light is not working, the examinee still has to stop and then continue again after onfirming no vehicles are coming from either side.

Criteria for deducting points:

1. Not obeying the signs, ignoring the yellow and red lights ---32 points.
2. The front wheel going over the stop line when the light is red ---32 points.

Test for dealing with aspects of driving in real road conditions:

1. Please ride according to the signs, symbols and marking lines. When stopping is required, it can be done by either one or both feet touching the ground.
2. Where no stopping is required in the driving test surroundings, the feet shall not touch the ground nor the wheels the pipes (points to be deducted according to the review table of the driving test).
3. Those who lose less than 30 points can continue with the test.

Criteria for deducting points:

1. Engine stalling during riding (a serial deduction applies)---8 points
2. A single foot touching the ground during riding (a serial deduction applies)---8 points
3. Two feet touching the ground during riding (a serial deduction applies)---16 points
4. Causing accidents or falling down---32 points
5. Wheels touching pipes (a serial deduction applies)---16 points

Crosswalk:

1. The examinee shall stop in front of the stop line when the double-yellow light flashes; the front wheel must not go over the stop line.
2. In the event of power failure or breakdown of equipment such that the light is not working, the examinee still has to stop and continue only after confirming no vehicles are coming from the two sides.

Criteria for deducting points:

1. Not stopping or not letting pedestrians pass through first---32 points
2. Front wheel going over the stop line---32 points Other technical operations (A serial deduction applies in the same sub-item and the maximum points which may be deducted in this section is 18.)
3. Leaping forward (kangaroo hopping) of the machine caused by a fast start---2 points
4. Improper operation of clutch---2 points
5. Improper control of accelerator---2 points
6. Improper use of turn signals ---2 points

Below is a detailed video clip from YOUTUBE regarding the practical examination process here in Taiwan:

*Disclaimer: I do not own the video shown below*

The officer-in-charge will then give you a sheet of paper containing his signature of approval if you have passed the exam. Thereafter, you must proceed to their corresponding License Issuing Department.

And there you have it! Congratulations on getting your brand new scooter license! But always remember, be a responsible driver! Vehicular accidents are the number one cause of deaths here in Taiwan. Deaths includes, driving under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs as well as driving while using their mobile phones.

Enjoy your travel around Taiwan!

Psalm 23:1-4

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.