Taiwan Proposes Stricter Rules on Taxi License Plate Fees, Fines Up to NT$90,000

Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation is moving to regulate taxi companies that have been accused of unfairly charging drivers high fees for license plates. The ministry has announced proposed amendments to relevant regulations that would prohibit such practices and impose significant penalties on violators.

Under the proposed changes, taxi companies found to be improperly charging drivers for license plate fees could face fines ranging from NT$9,000 to NT$90,000. In more severe cases, their business licenses could be revoked. These regulatory adjustments are slated to be implemented as early as August.

The move comes in response to numerous complaints from drivers, particularly in the Taichung area, who reported being charged exorbitant "driving fees" for license plates, with some instances reaching as high as NT$350,000. The ministry's proposed revisions to the "Regulations Governing Automobile Transportation Business," "Criteria for Reviewing Automobile Transportation Business," and "Regulations for the Establishment of Taxi Transportation Cooperatives" aim to prevent taxi companies from engaging in unfair profiteering.

Key provisions in the draft amendments include prohibiting companies from charging unapproved or contractually unspecified fees, requiring drivers to purchase vehicles, loans, or insurance from designated sources, discriminating against drivers not affiliated with specific fleets, and reclaiming license plates during the contract period. The ministry also intends to establish a review process for fee standards and ensure transparency by publishing them online. Furthermore, the timeframe for replacing idle vehicle license quotas will be shortened from three years to one year, with a single one-year extension permitted, to prevent companies from hoarding these quotas.

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This amendment to the draft regulations adds prohibited operating behaviors for taxi companies, including charging unapproved and contractually unspecified fees.