The reciprocal driver's license system between Taiwan and Japan has made self-driving tours in Japan popular among Taiwanese travelers, however, there is one major difference.
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While self-driving allows flexibility in sightseeing schedules and destinations, a Taiwanese columnist named Jack encountered an unexpected situation on a recent driving tour in Japan. As recounted in his post, he was pulled over for an illegal right turn. When the Japanese officer inspected Jack's passport, license, and translated documents, the officer was shocked that the Taiwanese license had no expiration date, questioning how road law updates could be enforced.
Another citizen says that having no expiration is quite convenient. If there was an expiration period, one could easily forget to renew due to busy schedules, which would be troublesome.
However, another argues that there should be periodic renewals, as traffic regulations may change over time.
The licensing systems in Taiwan and Japan do differ significantly. In Japan, to reconfirm driver health and understanding of traffic rules, licenses are categorized into tiers. Learners start with a green license which must be held for 3 years. After this beginner period, they can upgrade to a blue license. With at least 5 years without accidents or violations, they qualify for a gold license, extending the validity to 5 years.
In contrast, Taiwanese regular licenses have no renewal requirement before age 75, as long as there are no major violations leading to suspension or revocation.
Driving instructor Hsieh Chih-hung (謝志宏) says that only professional licenses necessitate periodic re-examinations every three years, involving medical checks but no written or practical testing.
Regardless of location, adhering to traffic regulations remains paramount for ensuring road safety. Nevertheless, the stark differences between Taiwan's and Japan's licensing systems have rekindled discussion on the topic.