Driving School

[colorwalk]

I have several questions that I hope someone can help me with. From what I've read, it seems you're required to go to the driving school in order to be allowed to take the test unless you already have a valid driver's license. Is that correct? The thing is... while I do have a driver's license (California), it expired last year. So my question is, do they accept an expired license or would I still have to attend the driving school?

Another thing I'm curious about- is it worth it to attend the driving school for the purpose of learning how to drive the manual well? While I can drive just fine on automatic, I'm not so great on manual. It's not really a pressing need (seeing how I don't really come across cars that are manual these days anyway), but I just think it'd be good to eventually know how to properly drive a manual. However, from what everyone's saying, it seems the driving school is there solely for the purpose of making you pass the driving test. To me, that doesn't sound like where I should really be learning how to drive a manual and that I'd be better off learning from someone who knows how to drive a manual instead.

Soo... let's say they do accept my expired driver's license and I'd be able to take the driving test off the bat, would you still recommend the driving school for me to learn how to drive manual or do you think I'd be better off doing the 1-2 hour practice and take the test for automatic (then learn manual from a friend)?

One final question: If you take the test for automatic, what happens to the part of the test where you're supposed to accelerate and change gears?

Thanks all, in advance, for any advice or answers you can give me!

[llary]

If you have a foreign license you take it to the DMV and can skip the 3 month waiting period / driving school requirement. They have a big book of sample licenses from various countries. If you don't have any license at all you either need to wait 3 months before taking your test or complete a gubmint approved driving course.

[sulavaca]

If you learn in a manual in Taiwan they will simply teach you how to change gears and not really how to use the advantages with the box. You will not learn how to hill hold the car with the clutch or how to maintain the clutch, how to use engine braking through use of the gearbox. Yes, they will only teach you how to pass the test. I would recommend you learn a manual box in a place that teaches how to drive and not simply how to steer a car through and around given obstacles. In an automatic box they will not judge how many gears you have changed through on a straight. In fact I wasn't in a manual box come to think of it. I was asked only to drive in whichever direction. Perhaps someone else has.

[Bu Lai En]

Thing is, you are only licensed to drive a manual if you did the test in a one. So if you see yourself wanting to legally drive one in the future, do the test in a manual.

[urodacus]

yeah but who cares, brian? the police?

[Icon]

Sorry for resurrecting a thread from the dead, but any update on recommendations for driving schools? My dear old Daddy says I have to drive myself when I go home, but I haven't touched a wheel of anything other than a bicycle in 10 years. I've forgotten where the key goes, and anyways, I was never the best of drivers. Oh, and I don't even know when my foreign license expired -not even where it is.

We got 4WD, stick shift and automatic at home. Oh, and if it helps, there is more disregard for driving laws back home, traffic lights and signs almost inexistent, so, defensive care would be a plus.

[Ducked]

You will not learn how to hill hold the car with the clutch or how to maintain the clutch, how to use engine braking through use of the gearbox.

IIRC there is a hill (in fact a ramp) start on the test circuit, so they'd have to teach you how to do that, which is essentially "hold the car with the clutch", no? Quite a lot of clutch judder on the battered old Datsun Sunny they gave me, though.

Not sure what "how to maintain the clutch" means. Sounds like mechanics, but that obviously isn't what's meant.

"How to use engine braking through use of the gearbox" wasn't, IIRC, covered by my UK driving instructors either. I'm fairly sure I cant do it properly, and seldom try. If I want to brake, I use the brakes.

I taught myself extended coasting on the Rest and Be Thankfull, though.

Dont think the OP is going to get much defensive driving instruction from a Taiwan driving school. OFFENSIVE driving instruction, maybe.

[sulavaca]

Sorry for resurrecting a thread from the dead, but any update on recommendations for driving schools? My dear old Daddy says I have to drive myself when I go home, but I haven't touched a wheel of anything other than a bicycle in 10 years. I've forgotten where the key goes, and anyways, I was never the best of drivers. Oh, and I don't even know when my foreign license expired -not even where it is.

We got 4WD, stick shift and automatic at home. Oh, and if it helps, there is more disregard for driving laws back home, traffic lights and signs almost inexistent, so, defensive care would be a plus.

I have sourced a potential driving center, which claims to offer an English speaking instructor.
The address is:

Number 31, Section 1, DàDù Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City (click for Google map link.

Telephone: (02) 28936889

I'm afraid they don't have a website, and so I must try to offer as much information as I could receive on the phone.

Their classes consist of 2 lessons per week, each 2 hours long. Which weak days will depend upon the days you prefer to choose from.
At the end of the five week course, there will be a written test one day, followed by the road test on the following day.
The testing centre arranges a fixed time for the tests, when an official will conduct the test.


The school has a no pass, no pay policy, which means that after paying once for lessons, and if the participant fails the test for any reason, they do not require an additional payment for another block of lessons. However they do require 1,000NT to be paid for the test itself.

The price of the course is 9,500NT for a manual gearbox car, plus 2,000NT for the test. This makes a total of 11,500NT.

The testing centre provide a pick up from the local Qiyan MRT Station, for their attendees.

For the English instructor, then the best time for lessons would be in the afternoon, after 1pm, to be certain that the English instructor is available.

The hours for the centre are: Mon~Fri, 7am to 9pm (English Instruction from 1pm~9pm)

I apologise, as I am not familiar with this testing centre and cannot verify the information they have provided me with over the phone, or the quality of the centre and their vehicles. It may be worth visiting the place before making an final reservation.

Note: The date on the applicant's A.R.C. (Alien Resident Certificate) from beginning to end must be at least one year (365 days) in validity. If it is any shorter, then they cannot accept the application. This is a government rule, not that of the testing centre.

I hope this information is useful.
If you require any further assistance, then please let me know.

[Icon]

Muchas gracias! Very apprecitive.

[Dragonbones]

Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with driving schools in the Neihu area specifically? I'm thinking of sending the wee wifey off to learn so that she can wreck someone else's car before wrecking ours.


(joke!)