Starting in January, taxi drivers and heavy-duty motorcycle riders will be able to bid for special license plate numbers, the Directorate-General of Highways (DGH) said yesterday.
The policy change is one of the many complementary measures the agency is implementing in line with a government plan to reorganize and streamline government agencies starting next year, said Hsieh Chieh-tien (謝界田), director of DGH’s Motor Vehicle Division.
All motor vehicle divisions will be placed under the administration of the directorate, rather than under different municipalities.
Currently, the Taipei City Government is in charge of the Motor Vehicles Office in Taipei, while the Department of Motor Vehicles under the former Kaohsiung City Government still oversees vehicles in the old city’s boundaries.
Meanwhile, the DGH is in charge of motorized vehicles in New Taipei City (新北市), Hsinchu, Greater Taichung, Chiayi and the part of Greater Kaohsiung that was formerly Kaohsiung County prior to its merger with Kaohsiung City in December last year.
Hsieh said that under the current system, the directorate takes in about NT$250 million (US$8.27 million) in revenues, but that total revenues could exceed NT$300 million after Taipei and Kaohsiung are included.
There are currently three different policies governing biddings for and selection of special license plate numbers, Hsieh said.
However, there will be one unified policy by January, he said.
The DGH already allows sedan drivers and owners of 550cc and above motorcycles to choose or bid for license plate numbers.
However, starting in January, owners of rental cars or taxis, as well as those of motorcycles below 500cc can also choose their license plate numbers.
Under the policy, car owners will be charged NT$2,000 for choosing a preferred license plate number, while motorcycle riders will be charged NT$1,000.
However, owners of motorcycles below 500cc will not be able to bid for special license plate numbers, Hsieh said, adding that the directorate had considered various factors, including the incomes of the motorcyclists and the prices of the vehicles.
The special license plate numbers will be divided into two tiers. Those placed under Tier One will have four identical digits, such as 6666 or 8888, with the bidding price starting from NT$6,000.
Those in Tier Two will have two pairs of identical numbers, such as 6688 or 8899, or the numbers in sequence, such as 5678 or 6789, with the bidding price starting from NT$3,000.
Those who need not change their license plates will still be able to apply to change to the license plate numbers they like after having their old license plates annulled.
Hsieh added that owners of cars registered in Taipei or New Taipei City would be able to choose or bid for license plate numbers online starting in January. Interested bidders can check the latest prices online.
However, owners of cars registered in motor vehicle offices under the administration of the Greater Kaohsiung Government or the directorate will not be able to do so online until April next year because the agency still has to install a new program in its operating system, he said.
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