Pennsylvania on Tuesday signed a reciprocal driver’s license agreement with Taiwan, becoming the 15th US state to do so.
Under the agreement, which took immediate effect, Taiwanese and Pennsylvania residents can obtain a local license in Taiwan or Pennsylvania by submitting a non-commercial driver’s license, without having to take a written or road test.
Taiwanese with legal residence in Pennsylvania can apply for a local driver’s license by showing their Taiwan driver’s license and other documents, such as a sight test certificate, and pay the fee.
Holders of a valid driver’s licenses issued by Pennsylvania State can obtain a driver’s license in once they have a Taiwan residence permit that is valid for at least one year.
The reciprocal agreement was signed by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Representative in New York Paul Chang (章文樑) and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards in Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania.
Chang said the reciprocal agreement is a convenient arrangement that makes life easier for Taiwanese businesspeople, students and academics in Pennsylvania and helps boost bilateral ties in trade, economics, culture and education.
Taiwan is Pennsylvania’s sixth largest export market in Asia.
In 2005, Pennsylvania opened an office in Taiwan to handle trade and economic exchanges between the two sides.
Since that time bilateral ties have been growing, Chang said.
The other 14 US states that have reciprocal driver’s license agreements with Taiwan are Maryland, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, Oregon, Arizona, and Alabama, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
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