Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago (TECO), on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) signed a reciprocity agreement on January 3, 2019 that enables their respective eligible citizens residing on the other side to obtain a local driver's license without taking another driving skills test.
Minnesota is the 31st U.S. state to enter such an agreement with Taiwan. This agreement will benefit corporate expatriates, visiting scholars, and exchange students from both sides by providing a jump start for their settlement on foreign soil, manifesting the strong friendship between the State of Minnesota and Taiwan, sister states since 1984.
Eric Huang, TECO Director General, signed the agreement with DPS Commissioner Mona Dohman in the Minnesota State Capitol. On behalf of Governor Mark Dayton, Commissioner Dave Frederickson of Minnesota Department of Agriculture witnessed the ceremony and applauded the hard work put together by DPS and TECO. The agreement is expected to bring closer ties between people from both side and encourage more exchange and investment that will be mutually beneficial to Minnesota and Taiwan.
With immediate effect, Minnesota DPS will allow a Taiwanese citizen aged 21 or over, holding a valid Taiwan Driver’s license for at least 3 years and who meets Minnesota residency requirements, to exchange the Taiwan driver’s license for a Minnesota Class D driver’s license. However, the applicant will be required to pay all requisite fees and pass: (1) a vision screening, and (2) a knowledge test, but will not be required to submit to a driving skills test.
Reciprocally, Taiwan will allow a Minnesotan aged 21 or over residing in Taiwan who possesses a valid Minnesota driver’s license to exchange that license for an Taiwan Class B driver’s license after paying all requisite fees and passing: (1) a physical test, and (2) a knowledge test, without having to take a driving skills test.
