Taipei:The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has announced a proposal to regulate online ride-hailing platforms under the same framework as taxi service operators. The proposed regulations are anticipated to be implemented as early as late November or early December.
According to Focus Taiwan, the draft amendments to the Regulations Governing Approval for Taxi Passenger Transport Service Operators would require ride-hailing platforms to obtain an operating license within one year of the new rules taking effect. Operators failing to secure approval could face fines ranging from NT$100,000 (US$3,070) to NT$25 million, based on the severity of the violation, and may be ordered to cease operations.
The amendments aim to address the rise of app-based taxi booking as a mainstream transportation method, prompting a need for clearer oversight of platform operators. The draft legislation intends to provide taxi drivers with greater flexibility in accepting ride requests. Companies offering taxi dispatch services through internet platforms would be classified as taxi transport service operators, thus making them accountable for service quality, driver training, third-party liability insurance, and consumer dispute resolution.
Furthermore, the draft seeks to enhance consumer and driver protections. Dispatch operators would need highway authority approval before imposing service fees on drivers, and platforms would be required to disclose vehicle and driver information, prohibiting the cancellation of confirmed rides without a valid reason. The proposal also mandates operators to prepare contingency plans for system outages and measures to safeguard personal data and cybersecurity.
An additional change in the draft is the removal of the restriction limiting taxis to a single dispatch fleet, which would allow drivers to affiliate with multiple platforms. To support this "one vehicle, multiple fleets" policy, dispatch operators would be obliged to provide drivers with at least three hours of road-safety and service-quality training every six months. Drivers with two major traffic violations within six months would have to undergo additional safety training prior to resuming service.
The draft also requires the establishment of independent complaint mechanisms for drivers contesting decisions such as account suspensions or contract terminations. The ministry emphasized that it would continue to seek public feedback before finalizing the amendments.