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Taiwan signed Feb. 24 a reciprocal driver’s license agreement with Kentucky, the nation’s 21st such accord with a U.S. state, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

The pact, which took immediate effect, was inked on behalf of the two sides by Vincent Jing-Yen Liu, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta, and Greg Thomas, secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes and Terry Gill, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, witnessed the signing.

Speaking at the ceremony, Liu said that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is the first nation to sign such an accord with Kentucky. “The pact will bring greater convenience and many benefits to ROC nationals working, studying and living in Kentucky,” Liu added.

Under the agreement, ROC nationals residing in Kentucky with a valid ROC driver’s license are exempt from taking a road test as well as a written exam. They will be able to obtain a Class D, or standard, license upon completion of a vision check, the representative office said.

Similarly, Kentucky state driver’s license holders with permission to reside in Taiwan for a minimum of one year can acquire a license within a year of arriving in Taiwan without taking a road test and written exam.

The MOFA said the agreement will benefit the people of both sides as well as deepen Taiwan’s ties and exchanges with Kentucky. The ministry added that it will continue to consult with additional U.S. states on the signing of such reciprocal agreements.

Taiwan has concluded reciprocal driver’s license agreements with states across the U.S. in recent years, finalizing pacts with Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, among others, according to the MOFA. These pacts benefited over 6,000 ROC nationals living in the U.S. as of the end of 2016, the ministry added. (KWS-E)

Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw