A reciprocal driver’s license agreement between Taiwan and Louisiana took effect Aug. 20, marking the nation’s 27th such accord with a U.S. state, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The pact stipulates that Taiwanese residing in Louisiana with a valid Taiwan driver’s license are exempt from taking a road or written test and can obtain a standard vehicle license upon passing a regular eye exam. Similarly, Louisiana state driver’s license holders with permission to reside in Taiwan for a minimum of six months can get a license after completing a physical.
This agreement was announced a day before by President Tsai Ing-wen and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards at a business roundtable in Houston, Texas, also attended by MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, National Security Council Secretary-General David Tawei Lee, U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson and representatives of Taiwan businesses operating in the Texas metropolis and neighboring regions. The president and her delegation were on a stopover in the U.S. city as part of her nine-day state visit to allies Paraguay and Belize.
Tsai thanked Edwards for his efforts in promoting exchanges, adding that going forward she anticipates enhanced collaboration between the two sides. Responding to the president, the governor said that the pact is expected to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the people of Taiwan and Louisiana.
The accord will offer greater convenience to Taiwanese and Louisianans living, studying or working on the other side, the MOFA said, adding that more than 11,000 Taiwan residents of the U.S. had benefited from such agreements by the end of 2017.
In addition to the U.S. pacts, Taiwan has concluded reciprocal driver’s license accords with all 10 Canadian provinces; 12 European nations; 26 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific, including six states of Australia; 12 nations in Central and South America; and 15 countries and territories in Africa and the Middle East, including nine provinces of South Africa, according to the MOFA. (KWS-E)
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