Enclosed-cabin scooters to be permitted on Taiwan's roads from June 30

Taipei, June 28 (CNA) A new category of fully enclosed, three-wheeled scooters will be permitted on Taiwan's public roads starting June 30, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said Sunday.

Before the vehicles can be sold and registered, manufacturers and importers must obtain a vehicle safety type approval certificate under the Vehicle Safety Type Approval Management Regulations, the ministry said.

The approval process is expected to take three to six months before the vehicles can receive license plates and be legally operated on public roads.

The MOTC said drivers will be required to hold a standard automobile driver's license, in line with Japan's vehicle classification system. The vehicles will have the same road rights as passenger cars but will not be permitted on freeways, expressways or national highways.

Those caught driving the vehicles with only a scooter license face fines ranging from NT$6,000 (US$188) to NT$12,000, while unlicensed drivers face fines of NT$18,000 to NT$36,000, according to the MOTC.

The enclosed-cabin scooters will also be subject to the same periodic inspections as passenger cars. Drivers must wear seat belts, and any window tinting must comply with regulations governing heat-insulating window films.

Parking rules will be determined by local governments, though the ministry said the vehicles would generally be eligible to use passenger car parking spaces.