Taiwan MOTC Proposes Harsher Penalties for Drug-Impaired Driving: First Refusal Fine Raised to NT$270,000

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 4) Reporter Huang Chiao-wen

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) is promoting legislative amendments to severely punish drug-impaired driving (毒駕). The fine for a first-time refusal of a drug test will be raised from the current NT$180,000 to NT$270,000, with subsequent offenses adding NT$180,000 each time. Additionally, for those who drive without a license after having it revoked for drug-impaired driving, an additional fine of NT$36,000 will be imposed on top of the existing penalty for unlicensed driving.

MOTC Minister Chen Shih-kai reported to the Transportation Committee of the Legislative Yuan on Thursday (June 4). Legislators Li Kun-tse of the Democratic Progressive Party and Hung Meng-kai of the Kuomintang both expressed concerns over the recent increase in drug-impaired driving incidents.

Li Kun-tse noted that recent serious traffic accidents caused by drug-impaired driving have resulted in multiple casualties and caused public alarm. He described drug-impaired driving as "a missile that launches blind, random attacks without warning" and urged the MOTC to study heavier license penalties, including a lifetime driving ban for those who drive under the influence of drugs again after their license has been revoked.

Regarding penalties for drug-impaired driving of cars or scooters, Chen stated that fines would be raised from the current NT$30,000 and NT$15,000 to NT$120,000 and NT$90,000, respectively. He mentioned that for license management, the period of suspension and the restriction on retaking the driving test after revocation would be extended. If the offense causes injury or death, a lifetime driving ban may be imposed. "This is the direction we are working towards," he said.

On preventive license management, Chen indicated that the MOTC is currently studying the possibility of suspending or revoking the licenses of drug users preemptively. "This means that once drug use is confirmed, they will be preventively prohibited from driving," he explained.

Regarding vehicle confiscation, Chen stated that while the past practice may have been to impound and store vehicles, the future direction is toward confiscation.

Furthermore, Chen said that passengers who knowingly ride with a driver under the influence of drugs without stopping them will bear joint responsibility, regardless of whether an accident occurs. "The current direction is to fine the passenger NT$15,000 as well," he stated. The relevant amendment proposal is expected to be submitted to the Executive Yuan by the end of June at the latest, "but we hope to do it as soon as possible."

The MOTC explained in a statement that driving under the influence of drugs seriously endangers traffic safety. In addition to administrative penalties under the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, it also constitutes a public danger crime under Article 185-3 of the Criminal Code, with criminal liability taking precedence.

Regarding drug-impaired driving, the MOTC stated that the key points of the amendment to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act include:
- Changing the penalty for drug-impaired drivers from a current 1-2 year license suspension to license revocation and a 3-year ban on retaking the test.
- Imposing the maximum statutory fine for a first offense of drug-impaired driving, with an additional NT$90,000 for each subsequent offense.
- Confiscating the vehicle regardless of whether the driver is the owner. Under the jurisdiction of the Highway Bureau, the vehicle will first be assessed for public auction; if unsuitable, it will be destroyed.
- Establishing passenger liability for drug-impaired driving, penalizing those who knowingly ride with a driver under the influence.

The amendment also plans to increase the fine for refusing a drug test for drug-impaired driving. The first refusal will result in a fine of NT$270,000, an increase of NT$90,000 from the current amount. Subsequent offenses will add NT$180,000 each time, with no upper limit.

The MOTC stated that the fine for driving without a license after having it revoked for drug-impaired driving will be increased from the current additional NT$12,000 on top of the unlicensed driving penalty to an additional NT$36,000, with no upper limit.

Currently, the penalty for unlicensed driving is NT$18,000 to NT$36,000 for scooter riders and NT$36,000 to NT$60,000 for car drivers. For example, if a car driver has their license revoked for drug-impaired driving and is caught driving without a license for the first time, they will face the maximum fine of NT$60,000 plus the additional NT$36,000, totaling NT$96,000.

For confirmed drug users, the MOTC stated that preventive license suspension or revocation will be implemented. For those confirmed to have used Category 1 or 2 drugs, even if they have not driven, their license will be revoked with a 2-year ban on retaking the test. For those using Category 3 or 4 drugs, their license will be suspended for 1 year.

The MOTC indicated that individuals penalized for drug-impaired driving or drug use must complete addiction treatment or related courses and meet certain observation period requirements before they can retake the driving test or renew their license.

The MOTC stated that in the short term, it will amend the Road Traffic Safety Rules. Key points include adding license conditions, prohibiting driving without completing addiction treatment, and requiring those confirmed to have used drugs to complete addiction treatment or courses before driving. A 3-year short-term license will be issued with a 6-year observation period. Continuous tracking and management will be implemented, and those still using drugs will not be allowed to obtain a license. (Editor: Wu Su-rou) June 4, 2026