Heavy Fines for Unlicensed Driving Expected in H1 2026: First Offense up to NT$60,000 with “Unlimited Cumulative Fines”

(FWA 2025/11/6)The Legislative Yuan has passed the third reading of amendments to the “Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act“, increasing fines for unlicensed driving of cars and motorcycles. Vehicles will be immediately impounded, and license plates will be confiscated. For repeat offenders who violate the law three or more times within 10 years, fines will be increased without an upper limit. Vehicle owners will be subject to the same fines as the drivers.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) stated that the new regulations are expected to be implemented in the first half of 2026. The fine for first-time unlicensed driving of a car will be NT$36,000 to NT$60,000, and for a motorcycle, it will be NT$18,000 to NT$36,000. The cumulative period for repeat offenses has been extended from 5 years to 10 years.

For a second unlicensed driving offense within 10 years, the fine is NT$80,000 for large vehicles, NT$60,000 for cars, and NT$36,000 for motorcycles. For three or more offenses within 10 years, fines will be increased without a cap: large vehicles will be fined an additional NT$24,000 based on the previous fine amount, while cars and motorcycles will be fined an additional NT$12,000 based on the previous fine amount.

Vehicles will be immediately impounded, and license plates must be confiscated. The license plate suspension periods are: 3 months for first-time offenders, 6 months for a second offense within 10 years, and 1 year for three or more offenses within 10 years.

The MOTC reminds the public that in addition to fines, vehicle impoundment, and license plate confiscation, unlicensed driving also affects eligibility for driving tests. Those without a car or motorcycle driver’s license will be barred from taking the test for 1 to 2 years. Anyone driving while their license is suspended will have their license directly revoked and will be barred from taking the test for 2 years after revocation. If the offense causes injury, the test ban is 2 to 4 years; if it causes serious injury or death, the ban is lifetime.