台灣和佛蒙特州互換駕照九月一日起生效

 (Boston Orange)從今(1)天開始，台灣駕照可以直接換佛蒙特州駕照了。

                        駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處表示，今(2020)年6月3日，該處代表中華民國（臺灣）交通部和佛蒙特州機動車輛管理局以換文方式，簽署了免試互換駕照協議，並訂定於9月1日起生效。

                     這是美國50州中的第34個，新英格蘭地區的第3個，和台灣達成護換駕照協議的州。這也是佛蒙特州第一次和外國政府簽署駕照免試互換協議。將來佛州和台灣兩地居民在互訪交流時，都將更為便利。

                   波士頓經文處稱，該處和佛蒙特州政府以平等互惠為原則，並顧及各自的交通法則規定，磋商2年多，才終於達成協議。

                  凡年滿18歲持有效中華民國普通自小客車、大貨車、大客車或聯結車駕照，居住於佛蒙特州並具合法居留身分者，只要備齊相關文件及費用，均可至佛蒙特州各機動車輛管理局申請換發佛蒙特州自小客車(D類)駕照，不須筆試及路考。

                  持有效期6個月以上外僑居留證，以及佛蒙特州自小客車或商用駕照者，也可檢附相關文件向中華民國各監理單位申請臺灣自小客車駕照，不須考試。

波士頓經文處提醒有意申辦換發駕照者，在國際間新型冠狀病毒疫情仍未緩解之際，遵循當地政府發佈之旅遊防疫措施審核申請文件。

新英格蘭地區先於2016年有麻州，2018年有羅德島州與中華民國交通部簽署了免試互換駕照協議，迄今已有將近1,900位中華民國國民申換了這兩州的駕照。波士頓經文處表示，未來將續推動新英格蘭地區其他各州接納這一便民措施。

Driver’s License Reciprocity Agreement between R. O. C. and Vermont takes effect from today, Sept. 1st.

(Boston Orange) Starting from Sept. 1^st, driver’s license holders from the Republic of China (Taiwan) can apply and receive a driver’s license from the State of Vermont.  Vermont visitors to Taiwan can enjoy the same treatment.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office(TECO) in 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 back on June 3, 2020.  That agreement takes effect from today, September 1^st, 2020.

TECO had signed a similar agreement with the State of Massachusetts in 2016, and with the State of Rhode Island in 2018, as well as with the State of Vermont in 2020.

According to TECO, Vermont is the 34th state in the U.S., and the third in New England, to enter into such agreement with Taiwan.  This is also the first time that the State of Vermont entered into such agreement with a foreign government.  So far, approximately 1,900 persons from Taiwan received a driver’s license from MA and RI.

According to TECO, this agreement was drafted based on the principle of reciprocity and the respective driving laws and regulations of each jurisdiction. It tooks two years to neogtiate the agreement.  TECO indicated its appreciation to the Vermont State Government and Legislature for their concerted efforts in making this agreement possible.

All holders of Taiwan class B, C, D or E driver’s license residing in Vermont can enjoy this reciprocal arrangement.  When applying for a Vermont driver’s license, one must present his/her valid driver’s license and a driving record certified by the Ministry of Transportation and Communication. All these documents must be translated into English and certified by TECO-Boston.

On the basis of reciprocity, all holders of Vermont driver’s license or commercial driver’s licenses who have valid Taiwan Alien Resident Certificates (ARC) which has at least six months’ validity can apply and receive an R. O. C. driver’s license.

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.

TECO-Boston indicates that it will continue to work with other states in its jurisdiction to facilitate the signing of similar agreements in order to benefit drivers from all these places.

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.