Taiwan MOTC Proposes NT$90,000 Extra Fine for Repeat Drug-Driving Offenders, Penalties for Passengers
To combat drug-impaired driving, Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) is planning to propose a draft amendment by the end of June to stiffen penalties. The move comes after 4,725 drug-driving cases were reported from January to April this year. The proposal includes an additional fine of NT$90,000 on top of the maximum for repeat offenders and new penalties for passengers in the same vehicle.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 18:19
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(CNA, Taipei, May 19, by reporter Yu Hsiao-han) To combat drug-impaired driving, Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) recently held a meeting with relevant agencies to discuss stricter penalties. The proposed measures include an additional fine of NT$90,000 on top of the maximum penalty for repeat offenders and new penalties for passengers in the same vehicle. A draft amendment is expected to be proposed by the end of June at the earliest.
According to statistics, a total of 4,725 cases of drug-impaired driving were discovered from January to April this year. To combat this issue, Minister of the Interior Liu She-fang stated today that cross-ministry discussions are underway for measures such as "joint liability penalties for passengers in vehicles with drug-impaired drivers" and "strengthened driver's license management for drug addicts." This would prohibit individuals with a history of drug use from obtaining a driver's license, keeping drug-impaired drivers off the road.
The MOTC responded in a written statement that the proposed amendments are well-intentioned and will help prevent drug-impaired driving. It supports the direction of the amendment and will convene relevant units to study feasible practices as soon as possible before the end of June this year.
Regarding drug-impaired driving, the MOTC stated that under current regulations, motorcyclists can be fined between NT$15,000 and NT$90,000, while car drivers face fines from NT$30,000 to NT$120,000. In both cases, the vehicle is impounded on the spot, and the driver's license is suspended for one to two years. If a child under 12 is a passenger or if an accident causing injury occurs, the license is suspended for two to four years. In cases causing serious injury or death, the license is revoked permanently. Repeat offenders or those who refuse testing face further increased penalties under other provisions of the same article (such as license revocation).
Concerning the increased penalties, the MOTC recently invited the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the National Police Agency of the Ministry of the Interior to discuss amending the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act to tighten penalties for drug-impaired driving. Proposals include increasing fines for repeat offenders, with a second offense incurring an additional fine of NT$90,000 on top of the maximum prescribed amount.
The MOTC pointed out that rules for drug-impaired driving will also mirror those for drunk driving regarding mandatory blood tests, explicitly stating that suspected drivers can be required to undergo urine tests. Penalties for passengers in the same vehicle will also be added.
The MOTC said it plans to add a provision, similar to the requirement for drunk drivers to undergo anti-drunk driving education or alcohol addiction treatment. This would require individuals whose licenses are revoked for drug-impaired driving to also complete anti-drug driving education or drug addiction treatment before they can reapply for a license.
The MOTC stated that it expects to propose the draft amendment by the end of June at the earliest.
As for increasing related criminal penalties for drug-impaired driving, the MOTC noted that it has sent a letter to the Ministry of Justice, suggesting further study on enforcement measures. These could include making drug-driving offenses ineligible for conversion to a fine (a "three-strikes clause"), increasing the proportion of suspended prosecutions that mandate addiction treatment, adjusting parole conditions, and increasing the proportion of court-ordered mandatory addiction treatments. (Editor: Wu Su-jou)
According to statistics, a total of 4,725 cases of drug-impaired driving were discovered from January to April this year. To combat this issue, Minister of the Interior Liu She-fang stated today that cross-ministry discussions are underway for measures such as "joint liability penalties for passengers in vehicles with drug-impaired drivers" and "strengthened driver's license management for drug addicts." This would prohibit individuals with a history of drug use from obtaining a driver's license, keeping drug-impaired drivers off the road.
The MOTC responded in a written statement that the proposed amendments are well-intentioned and will help prevent drug-impaired driving. It supports the direction of the amendment and will convene relevant units to study feasible practices as soon as possible before the end of June this year.
Regarding drug-impaired driving, the MOTC stated that under current regulations, motorcyclists can be fined between NT$15,000 and NT$90,000, while car drivers face fines from NT$30,000 to NT$120,000. In both cases, the vehicle is impounded on the spot, and the driver's license is suspended for one to two years. If a child under 12 is a passenger or if an accident causing injury occurs, the license is suspended for two to four years. In cases causing serious injury or death, the license is revoked permanently. Repeat offenders or those who refuse testing face further increased penalties under other provisions of the same article (such as license revocation).
Concerning the increased penalties, the MOTC recently invited the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the National Police Agency of the Ministry of the Interior to discuss amending the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act to tighten penalties for drug-impaired driving. Proposals include increasing fines for repeat offenders, with a second offense incurring an additional fine of NT$90,000 on top of the maximum prescribed amount.
The MOTC pointed out that rules for drug-impaired driving will also mirror those for drunk driving regarding mandatory blood tests, explicitly stating that suspected drivers can be required to undergo urine tests. Penalties for passengers in the same vehicle will also be added.
The MOTC said it plans to add a provision, similar to the requirement for drunk drivers to undergo anti-drunk driving education or alcohol addiction treatment. This would require individuals whose licenses are revoked for drug-impaired driving to also complete anti-drug driving education or drug addiction treatment before they can reapply for a license.
The MOTC stated that it expects to propose the draft amendment by the end of June at the earliest.
As for increasing related criminal penalties for drug-impaired driving, the MOTC noted that it has sent a letter to the Ministry of Justice, suggesting further study on enforcement measures. These could include making drug-driving offenses ineligible for conversion to a fine (a "three-strikes clause"), increasing the proportion of suspended prosecutions that mandate addiction treatment, adjusting parole conditions, and increasing the proportion of court-ordered mandatory addiction treatments. (Editor: Wu Su-jou)