Taiwan's New Motorcycle Exhaust Regulations Lead to 995 Citations in Two Months

Motorcycle modified exhaust pipes have been included in the mandatory inspection items, and the new regulations took effect on March 31 this year. In the two months since implementation, 995 violations have been reported and fined. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) Highway Bureau explained that if the correction is not completed within the time limit, the most severe penalty is revocation of the license plate, and the modified vehicle cannot be driven on the road.\n\nBefore March 31 this year, modified exhaust pipe violations were classified under the "Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act" as "failure to declare registration for various changes." Since the clause covers multiple items such as vehicle color and body modifications, the old system did not independently file for "exhaust pipes." After the new regulation took effect, as of May 31 this year, a total of 995 cases of "using non-original type exhaust pipes without declaring registration changes" have been reported.\n\nThe MOTC Highway Bureau stated that those who replace exhaust pipes with non-original types without declaring the modification will be subject to a maximum fine of NT$3,600, and must undergo inspection within 15 days. The highway supervisory authority may also charge a temporary inspection fee. If the deadline is exceeded by more than 15 days, the license plate will be suspended until the inspection is passed and the plate is returned. If the deadline is exceeded by more than two months, the license plate will be revoked.\n\nThe MOTC Highway Bureau emphasized that penalties for modified exhaust pipes without registration have been increased. For those who fail the inspection, the owner is required to replace the exhaust pipe with one certified by the Environmental Protection Administration's noise control regulations and compatible with the motorcycle model, and then proceed to the highway supervisory authority for re-inspection and subsequent change registration. The aim is to urge owners to comply with the vehicle change registration system.