Riding a Scooter in Hualien

Thinking of getting a scooter to explore Hualien or commute around campus? Great — but don’t forget, with freedom comes responsibility. This guide helps you stay legal and safe while riding in Taiwan.

1️⃣ Do I Need a Scooter License in Taiwan?

Yes, absolutely! If you ride without a license, you may face:

❌ NT$12,000 ~ NT$24,000 fines

🛑 Your scooter being confiscated

🚫 No accidental insurance coverage

Make sure to get your scooter license before you hit the road!

2️⃣ How to Get a Scooter License

✅ Requirements: ARC, Health Check, Passport-size Photos, Written & Driving tests (available in English)

📍 Location: Hualien Motor Vehicles Office (花蓮監理站)

🔗 More info: https://www.mvdis.gov.tw

3️⃣ NDHU Vehicle Permit

To park on campus, your scooter must have an official NDHU vehicle permit/parking sticker.

✅ How to apply:

Complete the traffic safety event and on-road safety course (1 hr each)
Apply at the NDHU Security Office

📄 Bring your ARC and Student ID when applying.

🚫 Unregistered vehicles may be fined or towed.

📩 Event Contact: Student Living Services Division – tea7101@gms.ndhu.edu.tw
🔗 NDHU Vehicle Management System

🛵 What Happens to Improperly Parked Scooters?

NDHU regularly relocates scooters that are:

❌ Not parked in designated scooter parking areas
❌ Obstructing roadways, walkways, or building entrances

🗃️ Relocated scooters are stored at the NDHU warehouse: 📍 View on Google Maps

🧾 How to Retrieve Your Scooter:

Visit the Main Gate Security Office with your ARC or Student ID: 📍 View on Google Maps
Pay the violation handling fee at the NDHU Cashier Office (出納組)

📘 More Information:
👉 Campus Motorcycle Driving and Parking Guide (NDHU Office of General Affairs)

4️⃣ What Every Scooter Owner Needs to Know

Compulsory Insurance (強制險)

All scooters must have a valid compulsory liability insurance — riding without it is illegal.

🔸 Fines:

NT$1,500–3,000 if caught riding uninsured
NT$9,000–32,000 if involved in an accident without insurance

🚫 If your insurance expires for over 6 months, your license plate will be revoked.

📄 More info: https://www.cali.org.tw/EN/
👉 Check your insurance status here

Third-Party Liability Insurance (第三責任險)

This coverage protects you financially if you accidentally cause injury to others or damage to property while riding.

💡 Tip:
It's often cheaper and more convenient to purchase third-party liability insurance together with your mandatory insurance (Compulsory Motorcycle Liability Insurance) from the same company.

📌 Having both types of insurance is strongly recommended, as it provides better protection and greater peace of mind on the road.

Annual Emissions Test (排氣檢驗)

All scooters in Taiwan are required to undergo an annual emissions inspection to ensure environmental compliance.

🔸 Penalty: NT$500 to NT$60,000 if you miss or fail the test.

🔧 Where to get tested:
Look for scooter repair shops with the official EPA emissions logo. These shops can perform the inspection free of charge.

📍 Near NDHU:
There are two certified scooter shops near Zhixue Train Station (along Provincial Highway 9) that provide emissions testing.

👉More info & Inquiry: Information System for the Regular Inspection of Motorcycle Exhaust System

Annual Fuel Tax (機車燃料稅)

Every scooter owner must also pay a Fuel Usage Fee, collected every July.

✅ How to pay:

7-ELEVEN / FamilyMart kiosks
Online via MVDis Fuel Tax Portal

📌 Penalties for Late Payment:

Within 1 month after the deadline: NT$300 fine
Over 1 month late: NT$600 fine
Continued non-payment: Will be legally enforced and subject to seizure or collection

📄 Legal Basis (Chinese): MVDis Fuel Tax Law
👉Fuel Fee Inquiry and Payment: https://www.mvdis.gov.tw/m3-emv-fee/fee/fuelFee#anchor&gsc.tab=0

Annual License Tax (牌照稅)

You are required to pay a yearly license tax for your scooter. Tax bills are typically sent in April.

📌 Not all scooters are taxed:

If your scooter’s engine displacement is 150cc or below, you are exempt from the license tax (NT$0).
If your scooter’s engine displacement is 151cc or above, you must pay the license tax based on engine capacity.

✅ How to pay:

7-ELEVEN (ibon kiosk) o FamilyMart (FamiPort kiosk)
Bank counters or mobile banking apps

⚠️ Don’t ignore this bill — failure to pay on time may result in late penalties and enforced collection by law.

📄 More info (Chinese): MVDis Vehicle Tax Section
👉Tax payment inquiry: https://netap.tax.nat.gov.tw/PEFLRX/Ept_Login

5️⃣ Traffic Fines

Common fines include:

Speeding
Illegal parking
Running red lights

📌 Check and pay your traffic fines online:
👉 MVDis Traffic Fine System (English)

6️⃣ Update Your Scooter Address Before Leaving

Before graduating or moving, update your vehicle registration address at the Motor Vehicle Driver Information Service Web (https://www.mvdis.gov.tw/#gsc.tab=0).

📌 If you don’t, fines or tax notices will still be sent to your old address (e.g., CSIE OFFICE or NDHU), which may result in missed payments or penalties.

Additional Resources

Scooter Owner Needs to Know