In response to a series of traffic incidents involving unlicensed drivers, lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties have proposed legal amendments to impose tougher penalties on offenders.
Current regulations impose fines ranging from NT$6,000 to NT$24,000 for unlicensed driving — whether in a car or on a scooter — with the highest fines for repeat offenses within five years. Drivers who cause serious injury or death are barred from taking driving tests for four years.
Car owners who allow unlicensed drivers to use their vehicles face penalties, and their license plates can be suspended for one to six months if they commit more than three offenses within five years.
Photo: Taipei Times
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers Huang Chien-hao (黃健豪), Liao Wei-hsiang (廖偉翔) and Lin Pei-hsiang (林沛祥) proposed amending the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例) to raise fines to NT$60,000 to NT$200,000.
They also proposed immediate driving bans and on-the-spot vehicle seizures for offenders.
KMT lawmakers, including Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) and Lo Ting-wei (羅廷瑋), proposed raising fines to NT$12,000 to NT$36,000. For repeat offenses within five years, they suggested increasing fines to NT$30,000 to NT$100,000 and seizing the vehicle.
They also proposed increasing fines to NT$36,000 for offenders who drive after their licenses have been suspended or revoked.
Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers, including Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌), Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲), Chang Hung-lu (張宏陸) and Lee Kuen-cheng (李坤城), proposed immediate vehicle impoundment and fines up to NT$36,000.
They also proposed suspending vehicle license plates for three months for a first offense, six months for a second within five years and one year for a third.
In 2019, there were 45,456 unlicensed driving incidents, resulting in 658 deaths and 65,155 injuries, Huang said, citing National Police Agency data.
However, in 2023, unlicensed driving incidents rose to 55,492, resulting in 763 deaths and 78,885 injuries, Huang said.
By contrast, drunk driving has declined following stricter penalties, highlighting the need for tougher laws on unlicensed driving, he said.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) on Sunday last week announced that a draft amendment was being prepared by the ministry that would treat unlicensed driving similarly to drunk driving.
The proposal includes unlimited fines for repeat offenders, on-the-spot vehicle impoundment and “harsh penalties” for owners who allow unlicensed drivers to operate their vehicles.
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