Taiwan, Hawaii ink reciprocal driver’s license pact

2017/04/07

Taiwan signed April 5 a reciprocal driver’s license agreement with Hawaii, the nation’s 22nd such accord with a U.S. state, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

The pact, which took immediate effect, was inked on behalf of the two sides by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu Director-General Chow Minn-gan and State of Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Ford Fuchigami. Hawaii Governor David Ige and Hawaii State Senator J. Kalani English witnessed the signing.

Under the agreement, Republic of China (Taiwan) nationals residing in Hawaii with a valid ROC driver’s license are exempt from taking a road test as well as a written exam. They can now obtain a Class 3, or standard, license upon completion of a regular physical exam, the TECO in Honolulu said.

Similarly, Hawaii state driver’s license holders with permission to reside in Taiwan for a minimum of one year can acquire a license within 12 months of entering the country without taking a road test or written exam.

According to the MOFA, the pact, Hawaii’s second such accord with a foreign government, marks an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations. The agreement will bring greater convenience to residents on both sides as well as help deepen exchanges, the ministry said, adding that it will continue to consult with additional U.S. states on the signing of such reciprocal pacts.

Taiwan has concluded reciprocal driver’s license agreements with states across the U.S. in recent years, finalizing accords with Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, among others. These pacts benefited over 6,000 ROC nationals living in the U.S. as of the end of 2016, the MOFA said.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=113498)