Rural motorcycle driving tests to become a thing of the past; Tianwei secures 60 spots, registration opens July 20

Motorcycle driving tests, once a common rural service in Taiwan, are becoming a relic of the past. The Tianwei Township in Changhua County has managed to secure a limited number of spots for a final "rural driving test" event, offering a last chance for residents to obtain their licenses before the service is permanently discontinued nationwide.

This initiative comes as the Ministry of Transportation adjusts its policies and local vehicle registration offices face staffing shortages. The Changhua Motor Vehicles Office has ceased its rural testing program, making Tianwei Township one of the few remaining locations to offer this service. They have successfully negotiated with the office to hold one final test, providing 60 available slots.

Registration for the limited spots opens on July 20, with priority given to residents of Tianwei Township who are at least 18 years old. The selection process will involve a lottery, with 60 successful candidates and 10 alternates chosen. The actual test, including a mandatory two-hour traffic safety lecture, written exam, and road test, is scheduled for August 31 at the Tianwei Farmers' Association.

While the service is exclusive to Tianwei residents, the limited availability has sparked significant interest, with inquiries even from neighboring areas like Beidou. The Changhua Motor Vehicles Office advocates for formal training at driving schools, citing their comprehensive 3-day programs as superior to the brief safety lectures offered in rural testing. This shift marks the end of an era for convenient, localized driver testing in Taiwan.