Comprehensive changes to driver’s license regulations are to be proposed later this month, including tightened rules for elderly drivers, Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) said yesterday.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has previously said it plans to propose three major reforms to driver’s license regulations, including making exams more difficult, raising awareness of driving risks and assisting seniors to drive safely.
For senior drivers, the ministry plans to require medical and cognitive function tests, traffic safety courses before license renewal and on-road training courses for those who have violated traffic regulations.
Photo: Tsai Yun-jung, Taipei Times
It would also encourage seniors to voluntarily hand over their licenses by offering TPASS subsidies.
Chen, who yesterday marked a year as minister, told reporters that people hope the ministry could better manage traffic, but also tend to react negatively to being overly managed.
In Taiwan, it is challenging to make the public satisfied with overall traffic management, he said.
The ministry plans not only to improve management of elderly drivers, but also expand and reform the overall license examination and management system, Chen said, adding that the ministry would hold a news conference in the middle of this month to explain the details.
The entire system would be reformed, from the initial license test to renewal process, and even professional driving training, he said.
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