Taiwan Ministry of Transportation to regulate ride-hailing platforms

Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation has announced a draft amendment to the Taxi Passenger Service Industry regulations. The move aims to bring online ride-hailing platforms under official management, requiring them to obtain business licenses within one year of the law's implementation. Failure to comply could result in fines up to NT$25 million and orders to cease operations.

The new regulations seek to clarify the responsibilities between platforms, drivers, and passengers. Platforms will be required to maintain service quality, provide professional driver training, ensure third-party liability insurance, and handle consumer disputes. Additionally, service fees charged to drivers must be approved by highway authorities, and platforms must disclose full vehicle and driver information to passengers.

To increase operational flexibility, the amendment will relax the restriction that prevents a single taxi from joining multiple fleets. Drivers will be allowed to work with more than one dispatch service provider simultaneously. To support this, the Ministry will implement safety measures, including mandatory semi-annual training and stricter management for drivers with multiple major traffic violations.