Taichung Leads Nationwide in Micro Electric Scooter Licensing; Indonesian Migrant Workers Found Using "Tilted Plates" to Avoid Checks
Micro electric two-wheelers (electric bicycles) have been under mandatory registration for one month. With 32,050 registered in Taichung City, it leads all counties and cities in Taiwan. Police have cracked down on over 425 violations for failing to properly display license plates. In Wuri District, an Indonesian migrant worker was found tilting the license plate upwards to avoid detection. Authorities are also working with local offices to check for unregistered vehicles among foreign workers, reminding riders aged 14 and above (middle school students) that registration is required to ride on public roads. Violators face fines ranging from NT$1,200 to NT$3,600.
The two-year grace period for registering micro electric two-wheelers (micro electric scooters) ended on November 29 last year. Since November 30, police have issued over 758 citations for violations, with 425 cases involving missing or improperly displayed plates. In Wuri District alone, 71 violations were recorded this week, including 38 for not displaying plates, 10 for carrying passengers, and 8 for not wearing helmets.
Wuri Police Precinct Chief You Qinan stated that intensified patrols in Wuri, Dadu, and Longjing areas revealed an Indonesian worker, Aman (30 years old), tilting his license plate upwards. Police stopped him at a red light and found the plate positioned differently from standard placement. The rider admitted attempting to evade detection, claiming the vehicle was purchased from a friend and he hadn't had time to register it.
Police identified the tilted plate as an evasion attempt, citing the rider under Article 71 of the "Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act," fining him NT$1,200 to NT$3,600 and impounding the scooter. Violators are reminded to properly display license plates when riding to avoid penalties.
Taichung Motor Vehicles Office Director Yang Congxian stated that joint inspections with police have resulted in fines for over three foreign workers found riding unregistered scooters. Employers and agents are contacted on the spot to assist in registering vehicles and purchasing mandatory liability insurance. Riders are urged to be 14 years or older, wear certified helmets, avoid carrying passengers, limit speeds to 25 km/h, and refrain from vehicle modifications.
