CHARLESTON, W.Va.- DMV Commissioner Pat Reed is pleased to announce that West Virginia has entered into a reciprocal agreement with the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan, concerning driver’s licensing. Dr. Lyushun Shen, from the Taipai Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US, through the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, represents the Republic of China (Taiwan) in this agreement.
“Economic development is important to the state of West Virginia, and I believe this will be advantageous for both Taiwan and West Virginia,” said Commissioner Reed. “We want citizens from Taiwan to know that the West Virginia DMV welcomes them into our great state, and hopefully this agreement will facilitate the ease with which they will now be able to obtain a WV driver’s license. In the same spirit, West Virginia citizens living in Taiwan will be able to obtain a driver’s license without being required to take the knowledge and skills tests over and without further driver’s education.”
Other countries that hold licensing reciprocity agreements with West Virginia include Germany and South Korea.
According to Commissioner Reed, “DMV’s focus is to provide essential motor vehicle and driver services to customers. This new licensing agreement is just another example of how the WV DMV is continually striving to fulfill and exceed its mission. We are happy to be able to streamline an important driver services function for the citizens of Taiwan.”
A nominal conversion fee will be applied during the exchange of licenses. Taiwan and West Virginia also agree to provide samples of current driver’s licenses in circulation, as well as any versions that may be introduced at a later date.
The reciprocal agreement only applies to drivers 18 years of age and older and does not pertain to drivers applying for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or a motorcycle endorsement.
For more information, please contact the DMV.