FAQ: Taiwan Driver's License for Indonesian Workers (PMI)

Q: Is an Indonesian driver's license valid in Taiwan?

An Indonesian driver's license cannot be used directly in Taiwan. Indonesian workers must first obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) from Indonesia's National Police (Korlantas Polri), then register it at Taiwan's Motor Vehicle Office (監理所, DMV) to receive an official Taiwan driver's license. The IDP is only valid in Taiwan for 1 year and cannot be renewed — that's why getting an official Taiwan license is essential for long-term residents.

Q: How does an Indonesian migrant worker get a Taiwan driver's license?

There are 3 steps: (1) Apply online to Korlantas Polri in Indonesia for an International Driving Permit — takes 2–3 weeks to arrive in Taiwan. (2) Visit Taiwan's Motor Vehicle Office (DMV/監理所) on a weekday with the IDP, ARC, passport, and original Indonesian license — forms must be completed in Mandarin. (3) Taiwan license is issued and can be mailed to your address. A proxy service handles steps 1 and 2 on your behalf so you don't need to take time off work.

Q: What documents are needed to get a Taiwan driver's license?

Four required documents: (1) Valid Indonesian driver's license (Class A or B) — expired licenses cannot be processed. (2) International Driving Permit issued by Korlantas Polri. (3) Valid Taiwan ARC (Alien Resident Certificate). (4) Valid Indonesian passport. When using a proxy service, you only need to send photos of these documents via WhatsApp — no need to mail originals.

Q: Do I need to take a driving test to get a Taiwan license?

No exam required. Indonesian workers with a valid Indonesian license go through a license conversion process — not a new license application. There is no written test and no road test.

Q: How much does it cost to get a Taiwan driver's license?

With a proxy service: NT$4,000 all-in — includes Korlantas IDP application, DMV registration fees, full proxy service, and mailing your Taiwan license to your door. Pay only after the license is ready; no hidden fees. DIY cost: Korlantas fee (~IDR 250,000) + Taiwan DMV fee (NT$200–400) + you must visit the DMV in person on a weekday.

Q: How long does the whole process take?

Total: 2–4 weeks. Breakdown: Korlantas IDP: 2–3 weeks. Taiwan DMV registration: 1–3 business days. License delivery: 1–3 business days. The timeline may be longer during year-end peak season or Taiwan public holidays.

Q: How long is a Taiwan driver's license valid?

The Taiwan license validity is tied to your ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) and can be renewed when you renew your ARC. This is much better than the Korlantas IDP, which is only valid for 1 year and cannot be renewed while in Taiwan.

Q: What is a Korlantas International Driving Permit, and how is it different from a Taiwan license?

The Korlantas IDP is an international driving permit issued by Indonesia's National Police under the 1968 Vienna Convention. It is valid in Taiwan but only for 1 year and cannot be renewed. A Taiwan driver's license (台灣駕照) is issued directly by the Taiwan government after the conversion process at the DMV. It is valid for the duration of your ARC, renewable, and fully recognized by all systems in Taiwan.

Q: Does the service cover all of Taiwan?

Yes. Since everything is handled remotely — documents via WhatsApp, license mailed to your home — the service covers all Indonesian workers across Taiwan: Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hsinchu, Keelung, Yilan, Hualien, Taitung, and all other cities.

Q: What if the Indonesian license is about to expire or already expired?

The Indonesian license must be valid at the time of the Korlantas IDP application. If it has expired, it must be renewed first — this can be done through family members in Indonesia or via a remote renewal process. If less than 1 month remains, we recommend renewing before applying to avoid the process failing midway.

Question 1

Is an Indonesian driver's license valid in Taiwan?

Answer

An Indonesian license cannot be used directly in Taiwan. Workers must first get an International Driving Permit (IDP) from Korlantas Polri, then register it at Taiwan's DMV (監理所) to receive an official Taiwan license. The IDP is only valid for 1 year in Taiwan and cannot be renewed — long-term residents should get a Taiwan license as soon as possible.

Question 2

How does an Indonesian worker get a Taiwan driver's license?

Answer

3 steps: (1) Apply online to Korlantas Polri for an International Driving Permit — arrives in Taiwan in 2–3 weeks. (2) Visit Taiwan's DMV (監理所) on a weekday with IDP + ARC + passport + original Indonesian license. (3) Taiwan license is issued and mailed to your door. A proxy service handles everything so you never need to take time off work.

Question 3

What documents are required?

Answer

Four documents: (1) Valid Indonesian driver's license (Class A or B). (2) International Driving Permit from Korlantas Polri. (3) Valid Taiwan ARC (Alien Resident Certificate). (4) Valid Indonesian passport. With a proxy service, just send photos of these via WhatsApp — no need to mail originals.

Question 4

Is there a written test or road test?

Answer

No exam at all. Getting a Taiwan license with an existing Indonesian license is a document conversion process — not a new license application. No written test, no road test.

Question 5

How much does it cost?

Answer

With proxy service: NT$4,000 all-in — includes Korlantas IDP application, DMV fees, full proxy handling, and license delivery to your door. Pay only after your license is ready; no hidden fees. DIY: Korlantas fee (~IDR 250,000) + Taiwan DMV fee (NT$200–400) + you must visit the DMV on a weekday in person.

Question 6

How long does the whole process take?

Answer

Total 2–4 weeks. Korlantas IDP: 2–3 weeks. Taiwan DMV registration: 1–3 business days. License delivery: 1–3 business days. May take longer during year-end or Taiwan holidays.

Question 7

How long is a Taiwan driver's license valid?

Answer

Your Taiwan license is valid for as long as your ARC is valid, and can be renewed when you renew your ARC. Much better than the IDP which expires after 1 year and cannot be renewed in Taiwan.

Question 8

Does the service cover all of Taiwan?

Answer

Yes. Everything is remote — documents via WhatsApp, license mailed to you. We serve Indonesian workers across all of Taiwan: Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hsinchu, Keelung, Yilan, Hualien, Taitung, and all other cities.

Question 9

What if the Indonesian license is expiring soon or already expired?

Answer

The Indonesian license must be valid at the time of application. If expired, it must be renewed first (through family in Indonesia or via remote renewal). If less than 1 month remains, we recommend renewing first to avoid disruption mid-process.

Question 10

Can an employer or caregiver arrange this on behalf of the worker?

Answer

Yes. The entire proxy service is remote — employers or caregivers just need to help the worker send document photos via WhatsApp. The worker doesn't need to attend, and the employer doesn't need to accompany them anywhere.

Question 11

What are the risks of driving in Taiwan without a valid license?

Answer

Driving in Taiwan without a valid license is illegal and subject to heavy fines. The IDP expires after 1 year. Workers staying longer than 1 year should get a Taiwan license before their IDP expires to stay legal.