Lawmakers propose harsher penalties for unlicensed driving

Taipei, May 31 (CNA) In response to a series of traffic accidents involving unlicensed drivers, Taiwan lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties are proposing legal amendments to impose tougher penalties on offenders.

Current regulations impose fines ranging from NT$6,000 (US$200.56) 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 let unlicensed drivers use their vehicles face fines, and their license plates can be suspended for one to six months if they commit more than three offenses within five years.

Opposition Kuomintang (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 to raise fines to between NT$60,000 and 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 between NT$12,000 and NT$36,000. For repeat offenses within five years, they suggested increasing fines to NT$30,000-100,000 and seizing the vehicle.

They also proposed increasing fines by NT$36,000 for offenders who drive after their licenses have been suspended or revoked.

Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) 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.

Huang said that in 2019, there were 45,456 unlicensed driving incidents, resulting in 658 deaths and 65,155 injuries, according to National Police Agency data.

However, in 2023, unlicensed driving incidents rose to 55,492, resulting in 763 deaths and 78,885 injuries.

By contrast, drunk driving has declined following stricter penalties, highlighting the need for tougher laws on unlicensed driving, he said.

On May 25, Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) announced a draft amendment 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.