Transport minister says unlicensed drivers will be treated like drunk drivers

交通部長稱無照駕駛將比照為酒駕

Car and plates will be seized, cap on fines will be lifted


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) announced on Sunday that the ministry will amend laws to impose harsher penalties on unlicensed driving.

Chen said driving without a license will be treated as a dangerous act on par with drunk driving, per CNA. A draft amendment to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet by the end of June.

The move follows a string of serious traffic accidents. On May 18, a 47-year-old driver surnamed Su (蘇) jumped a red light and rammed his van into a cafe in Hualien, injuring 13.

On May 19, a 78-year-old man surnamed Yu (余) drove his car into a group of pedestrians in Sanxia District, killing three and injuring 12. On May 23, a 78-year-old unlicensed driver, surnamed Chiu (邱), ran a red light on Chongqing South Road in Taipei City and crashed into a bus and three other vehicles, injuring seven.

Chen on Facebook conceded that “Taiwan's traffic environment still has much room for improvement.” He added that the ministry must “speed up its pace” and keep moving forward to ensure Taiwan’s traffic safety.

Chen revealed that plans are underway to increase penalties for driving without a license, including:

Heavier fines, with no upper limit for repeat offenders
Immediate vehicle impoundment and license plate seizure
Penalties for vehicle owners who allow unlicensed individuals to drive
Under current regulations, fines for unlicensed driving, whether a car or a scooter, are capped at NT$24,000 (US$800). Offenders caught twice within five years receive the maximum fine and are banned from driving that vehicle.

Currently, if an unlicensed driver causes serious injury or death, the individual will be barred from applying for a driver’s license for four years. Vehicle owners who permit unlicensed driving are also subject to fines and may face license plate suspension for up to six months if violations occur three times within five years.

Chen said the new proposal would raise fines and impose cumulative additional fines like those for drunk driving, with no cap for repeat offenders. It would also stipulate that vehicles be immediately impounded and license plates confiscated.

Vehicle owners who allow unlicensed individuals to drive would face the same penalties as the offenders. The maximum suspension period for license plates would be extended to 12 months.

Under the proposed new rules, if an unlicensed driver causes injury, they would be banned from obtaining a license for four years. If they cause serious injury or death, they would be permanently barred from applying for one.

Chen said improving the traffic environment and providing safe spaces for pedestrians are shared public expectations and the responsibility of his ministry. He also assured the public that the ministry does not intend to ban elderly individuals from driving.