Taiwan ministry seeks to place ride-hailing apps under taxi regulations

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced draft amendments that would bring internet-based ride-hailing platforms into the same regulatory framework as taxi service operators, with the new regime expected to start by late November or early December. Operators would have one year to secure an operating licence, and failure to do so could result in penalties from NT$100,000 up to NT$25 million and an order to cease operations, according to Hu Ti-chi, director-general of the department overseeing public transportation.

The proposal classifies platform-based dispatch services as taxi transport operators, making them responsible for service quality, driver training, third-party liability insurance and consumer dispute resolution. Additional safeguards include mandatory highway authority approval for driver fees, disclosure of vehicle and driver details, restrictions on ride cancellations, contingency plans for system outages, and stronger data-privacy and cybersecurity provisions.

Drivers would be allowed to affiliate with multiple platforms, provided they receive at least three hours of safety training every six months, and repeat traffic violators would need extra training before returning to service. Public feedback will continue to be solicited before the amendments are finalized.