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Republic of China (Taiwan), Idaho continue 30-year partnership through signing of driver's license reciprocity agreement

Representatives of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) formally signed a reciprocity agreement this week that enables citizens of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Idaho to obtain a driver's license without taking a driving skills test, if they already have been tested and licensed in their home country.

"Republic of China (Taiwan) is Idaho's fourth-largest export market," said Jeffery Sayer, director of the Idaho Department of Commerce. "This agreement is another step in making it easier for Idahoans and Taiwanese from the Republic of China to trade and invest in each other's countries."

Idaho is on the forefront of such an arrangement since it is the second state within the United States to enter into a reciprocity agreement with Taiwan.

"Republic of China (Taiwan) citizens will still be required to take and pass a knowledge test to obtain an Idaho driver's license and must meet all other driver requirements, but it will make the process less time consuming," said Ed Pemble, manager of Driver Services at ITD.

The reciprocity memorandum with the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of Transportation and Communication and Idaho acknowledges the validity of Republic of China (Taiwan) driver's licenses and eliminates the need for Republic of China (Taiwan) citizens to take a highway skills test to drive in Idaho. Idahoans living in Republic of China (Taiwan) will have the same privilege.

Driver's license offices in Idaho offer the knowledge test in numerous foreign languages including Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Vietnamese, Spanish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, French (African) and Farsi.

Andy Chin, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle representing the Republic of China (Taiwan), signed the agreement with the Division of Motor Vehicles Administrator Alan Frew in the Governor's Office. The signing was witnessed by Junq-tzer Lin, Minister and Governor of Taiwan Province; Richard Lin, Deputy Director General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, and Governor Otter. In addition to the signing, the visit was scheduled to celebrate the 30-year sister state anniversary between Idaho and Taiwan.

In 2013 Idaho exported more than $540 million worth of goods and services to Taiwan. Industrial and high-tech equipment, including semiconductors, accounted for more than 90 percent of Idaho's 2013 exports to Taiwan.

In addition to business and trade, Idaho-Taiwan educational exchanges continue to flourish. For example, Boise State University administers an annual internship program placing Taiwanese students with Idaho companies. In the past two years, two dozen Idaho companies have hosted interns, and later this month 18 additional students from Taiwan will begin their internships.