Pennsylvanians who plan on staying in Taiwan for a while can now obtain a driver's license from that country a lot easier than they could before.

Because of a driver's license reciprocity agreement signed on Tuesday, drivers from this state or that country can skip the knowledge and skills test to qualify for a license when living in either place.

This is similar to arrangements that Pennsylvania already has with Germany, France and Canada.

In explaining the significance of this pact, state Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards described it as a historic event and another step in the growing relationship that the commonwealth is building with this Asian nation with which it has economic and educational ties.

"This agreement represents the highest degree of trust and mutual respect between our governments as allies in ensuring the safety of our citizens through high standards for driver training," Richards said.

As part of the agreement, she said Taiwan and Pennsylvania will share driver information about an individual who moves from this state to that country or vice versa and applies for a driver's license. She said that includes such details as a license suspension or a driving while intoxicated conviction.

Any restriction that exists in Pennsylvania would be carried over to Taiwan and vice versa, Richards said.

"Drivers from other countries we don't always get that information," she said. "With this agreement, ... we will share that information with our drivers and our driving records."

Paul Wen-Liang Chang, ambassador from Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, who was on hand to sign the agreement in the Governor's Reception Room, likewise, hailed the pact's significance for economic and educational reasons.

"I believe this arrangement will further encourage students and the business professionals to continue studying or potentially moving to Pennsylvania and vice versa," he said.

In 2014, Richards said Pennsylvania exported more than $400 million worth of goods to Taiwan and imported more than $770 million worth of goods from Taiwan. The ambassador pointed out that in 2013-14, more than 1,000 students were studying in Pennsylvania colleges.

Richards said those concerned about this information-sharing about driving records with another country shouldn't be skittish.

"It all comes down to safety," she said. "We want to make sure that the drivers in our vehicles here on Pennsylvania roads are the safest possible and know if there is any reasons they shouldn't be on our roads. It's not just for the safety of the driver. It's for everybody they are sharing the road with."