Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Regulations: Forging license plates is punishable by a maximum fine of NT$72,000, and repeat offenders or individuals involved in accidents may face vehicle confiscation and destruction.
On May 9, 2025, the Legislative Yuan passed the amendment in its third reading to Article 12 of the "Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act," which increases penalties for the acts of forging, altering, and fraudulently acquiring license plates. The new law stipulates that those using forged license plates may be fined up to NT$72,000, and the vehicle may be immediately impounded. If someone forges another person's license plate, causes an accident resulting in injury or death, or reoffends within ten years, the vehicle may be confiscated or destroyed. An "additional penalty" mechanism has been introduced, where drivers who knowingly drive with faulty license plates may be fined up to NT$36,000.
Key Updates
05/09 13:02
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Regulations: Forging license plates is punishable by a maximum fine of NT$72,000, and repeat offenders or individuals involved in accidents may face vehicle confiscation and destruction.
On May 9, 2025, the Legislative Yuan passed the amendment in its third reading to Article 12 of the "Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act," which increases penalties for the acts of forging, altering, and fraudulently acquiring license plates. The new law stipulates that those using forged license plates may be fined up to NT$72,000, and the vehicle may be immediately impounded. If someone forges another person's license plate, causes an accident resulting in injury or death, or reoffends within ten years, the vehicle may be confiscated or destroyed. An "additional penalty" mechanism has been introduced, where drivers who knowingly drive with faulty license plates may be fined up to NT$36,000.
Spike in Fake License Plate Cases, Legislature Takes Action
According to the Ministry of Transportation, from 2019 to 2023, there was an annual average of about 171 fake license plate cases, but in 2024, the number surged to over a thousand, showing a clear rise in these violations. The Ministry of Transportation pointed out that about 80% of these cases involved suspended, revoked, or scrapped vehicles, and another 16% were related to criminal activities, posing a major threat to traffic safety and public order.
To curb such behavior, the Legislative Yuan approved the amendment to Article 12 of the "Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act" on May 9, increasing penalties for fake license plate activities and expanding the scope of penalties and circumstances.
Increased Fine Cap, Maximum Fine for Fake License Plates Raised to NT$72,000
The amended article stipulates that vehicle owners using fake, altered, or fraudulently obtained license plates will face a maximum fine of NT$72,000, double the original penalty. This penalty applies to the following situations:
- Driving with fake, altered, or fraudulently obtained license plates;
- Driving without obtaining a license plate;
- Using license plates from suspended, revoked, or scrapped vehicles;
- Having a license plate but not displaying it correctly;
- Driving with a lost license plate without applying for a replacement.
In addition to fines, vehicles involved in the above violations will be impounded on the spot.
Three Circumstances Allow for Immediate Vehicle Confiscation
The amendment specifically targets three serious violations, allowing for immediate vehicle confiscation and possible destruction. These circumstances include:
- Counterfeiting or altering another person's vehicle license plate;
- Using fake, altered, or fraudulently obtained license plates in an accident causing injury or death;
- Violating fake, altered, or fraudulently obtained license plate regulations for the second time within 10 years.
This provision is designed to impose stricter penalties on repeat offenders and major violators to prevent further harm to public safety.
Non-Owner Drivers Also Subject to Penalties
To prevent non-owner drivers from using problematic license plates for illegal activities, the amendment introduces a "combined penalty" mechanism. If a driver knowingly operates a vehicle with fake, altered, or invalid license plates, they can be fined up to NT$36,000.
This measure aims to address past loopholes that only penalized vehicle owners, strengthening the constraints on actual driver behavior and preventing the shifting of responsibility between owners and drivers.
Other Related Penalties Adjusted Simultaneously
In addition to increasing penalties for fake license plate activities, the amendment also adjusts penalties for other license plate violations. These include:
- Driving assembled vehicles without approved license plates;
- Using suspended or revoked license plates;
- Lending license plates to other vehicles or using another vehicle's license plates.
The fines for these actions have been increased from the original range of NT$3,600 to NT$18,000, to a new range of NT$3,600 to NT$36,000, with the same provision for on-the-spot vehicle impoundment.
Legislative Background and Department Explanation
The Ministry of Transportation noted that fake license plates are often used to evade traffic violation responsibilities and are even involved in drug transportation, robbery, and other criminal activities. Due to insufficient deterrence from current penalties and difficulties in holding accountable due to the separation of vehicle owners and drivers during enforcement, this amendment emphasizes a dual-track approach of "owner responsibility" and "combined driver penalty."
The Transportation Committee of the Legislative Yuan also stated that the purpose of the amendment is to establish a more deterrent legal framework to curb the spread of fake license plate activities and ensure the safety of the general public.
