When traveling in any country, aside from public transportation and chauffeured car tours, the most convenient option is a self-drive car rental trip.
But do you know which documents you need to prepare when renting a car?
Below we’ll walk you through the documents you must have when renting a car in Taiwan or in other countries.
1. Taiwanese citizens renting a car in Taiwan:
It’s relatively easy for Taiwanese citizens to drive in their own country. The documents you need are your Taiwan ID card, your Taiwan driver’s license (with a validity date after 2013/7/1), and a credit card.
2. Long-term residents in Taiwan (holding an ARC):
Foreign nationals who stay in Taiwan long term for work or study apply for a resident certificate (ARC).
ARC holders who want to drive in Taiwan need their Taiwan resident certificate (ARC), a converted Taiwan driver’s license, and a credit card.
3. Taiwanese citizens renting a car in Japan:
Japan is the top overseas destination for Taiwanese travelers, and you’ll need a rental car to reach many of Japan’s non-urban areas.
The documents required in Japan are a little different: besides your passport and your Taiwan driver’s license (we recommend going to the motor vehicles office first to exchange it for a license with no expiration date),
you also need a Japanese translation of your driver’s license issued by the motor vehicles authorities (any local Motor Vehicles Office), plus a credit card.
4. Taiwanese citizens renting a car overseas:
Besides your passport, which is always required,
you also need to check whether the country or state (in the US and Canada) where you’re renting recognizes a Taiwan driver’s license or a Taiwan-issued International Driving Permit (IDP), and have a credit card ready.
5. Foreign visitors renting a car in Taiwan:
You’ll need your foreign passport, an International Driving Permit (IDP) from a reciprocating country recognized by Taiwan’s motor vehicles authorities, your home-country driver’s license (some countries only issue an IDP in exchange for the local license), and a credit card.
6. Hong Kong visitors renting a car in Taiwan:
You’ll need your Hong Kong passport, a Hong Kong full driving license – Class 1, and a credit card. Hong Kong currently has a trial arrangement with Taiwan that lets you drive here directly on your local full driving license.
Note: On Taiwan’s outlying islands you still need a Hong Kong-issued International Driving Permit together with your Hong Kong license.
7. Japanese visitors renting a car in Taiwan:
You’ll need your Japanese passport, your Japanese driver’s license, a translation of that license issued by Japan’s traffic authorities, and a credit card.
Why do you need a credit card?
Because the time it takes for traffic tickets and similar fines to come through varies from country to country, the most common practice is to fill out a blank credit card pre-authorization slip so that any fines can be paid conveniently on the traveler’s behalf.
Some shops instead collect a vehicle deposit to cover any fines.
The amount is usually around NT$10,000 (depending on the car model), and if no tickets have appeared after 90 days, it is transferred back to your account (the transfer fee is borne by the customer).
Can I use a debit card?
VISA debit cards, which only work if there’s money in the account, are now common everywhere, but because the approval requirements are looser than for credit cards and the payment process is different, most shops around the world still require a credit card.
About licenses recognized under reciprocal agreements
You can check the Directorate General of Highways, Taiwan link to confirm. Usually, only when both countries—or the specific state—recognize the Taiwan driver’s license is there a reciprocal arrangement allowing an International Driving Permit to be used for driving.
Note: In Asia, International Driving Permits and local licenses from China, Thailand, and South Korea currently cannot be used to drive in Taiwan, so travelers from those places who want to visit Taiwan will need to rely on public transportation or book a chauffeured car tour!
Once you have the documents above ready, you’re all set to head off on your trip!
A reminder: you must bring the originals of all the documents above—copies and photos are not accepted, so don’t forget!
This article was translated by AI from the original Chinese version.
