TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Legislative Yuan on Tuesday passed regulations increasing fines for unlicensed vehicle operation and doubling penalties for non-factory exhaust systems to curb noise pollution.

Under the amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, unlicensed two-wheeler riders will face fines of NT$18,000 (US$588) to NT$36,000, while unlicensed car drivers will be fined NT$36,000 to NT$60,000, per CNA. In both cases, the vehicle will be impounded on the spot.

Additionally, the law addresses the growing issue of vehicle noise, which has led to a significant increase in complaints. In 2023, the number of reports jumped to over 30,000 from around 17,400 in 2021. 

The new measures will impose harsher fines for cars using non-standard exhausts without proper registration, doubling the penalty from NT$1,800 to NT$3,600. Vehicles found in violation must undergo inspections within 15 days.

If the owner does not correct the issue within that time frame, their license plates will be suspended until compliance is met. If the delay exceeds two months, their plates will be revoked.

According to the National Police Agency, unlicensed driving cases have surged to 54,492 in 2023, resulting in 763 deaths and 78,885 injuries, exceeding the 253 deaths from drunk driving. This marks a significant increase from 2019, when there were 45,456 cases, resulting in 658 deaths and 65,155 injuries. 

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications reported that out of the 300,000 to 400,000 traffic accidents in Taiwan annually, about 50,000 involve unlicensed drivers. Such motorists cause an average of 600 deaths and over 60,000 injuries each year, six times more than alcohol-related incidents.