The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston (TECO-Boston), on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China (Taiwan), signed a driver’s license reciprocity agreement with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles on June 3, 2020, which will take effect on September 1, 2020. Vermont is the 34th state in the U.S., and the third in New England, to enter into such an agreement with Taiwan. Taiwan is also the first foreign government to enter into said agreement with Vermont. This will provide an added convenience for those from Taiwan who work, study, or reside in Vermont.
The signing of this agreement is the culmination of more than two years of negotiations and discussions. It is based on the principle of reciprocity and the respective driving laws and regulations of each jurisdiction. TECO-Boston extends its deep appreciation to the Vermont State Government and Legislature for their concerted efforts in making this agreement possible.
The reciprocal conversion arrangement applies to all holders of a Taiwan class B, C, D or E driver’s license residing in Vermont. An applicant must present his/her valid driver’s license and a driving record certified by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. All licenses and driving records must be translated into English and authenticated by TECO-Boston. On the basis of reciprocity, this agreement also applies to all holders of Vermont operator licenses or commercial driver’s licenses who have valid Taiwan Alien Resident Certificates (ARC) with a validity period when received of at least six months. An applicant must present his/her U.S. passport, a valid Vermont operator license, and a driving record certified by the Vermont DMV issued no more than 60 days prior to the date of the application for the Taiwan license. An applicant’s license and driving record shall be authenticated by TECO-Boston. Applications can be made at any Motor Vehicles Office in Taiwan. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, both sides will process applications in accordance with respective travel regulations.
Since Massachusetts and Rhode Island signed similar agreements with Taiwan in 2016 and 2018 respectively, nearly 1,900 drivers from Taiwan have benefited from this reciprocal agreement. TECO-Boston will continue to work with other states in its jurisdiction to facilitate the signing of similar agreements for the convenience and benefit of our drivers.
For more information, please visit the website of Taiwan’s Directorate General of Highways, MOTC at http://www.thb.gov.tw/sites/en/ (under the “Organization Duty” section, click on “Motor Vehicle Inspection and Administration”) or e-mail dghmail@thb.gov.tw. For inquiries regarding authentication of driver’s licenses, please contact TECO-Boston at (617) 259-1350.
