A breath alcohol concentration of 0.15 mg per liter (or a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03%) or more means you may not drive a car or ride a motorcycle. Violators face, under Article 35 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalties Act (道路交通管理處罰條例) (the amended text in force from October 31, 2026), a fine of NT$18,000–120,000 for a motorcycle or NT$36,000–150,000 for a car, on-the-spot impoundment of the vehicle, a driver's license suspension of 1 to 2 years and a suspension of the vehicle's plates for 2 years. At a breath alcohol concentration of 0.25 mg per liter (blood 0.05%) or more, the driver also commits an offense under Article 185-3 of the criminal code (刑法), punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years and, in addition, a criminal fine of up to NT$300,000. When the driver reaches 0.25 mg, a passenger aged 18 or older in the same vehicle is also fined NT$6,000–15,000.
Reminder: Articles 35, 67 and 73 and other provisions of the Act, amended on August 17, 2026, have been set by the Executive Yuan (行政院) to take effect on October 31, 2026 (the blood test provisions in Article 35, Paragraphs 6 and 15 take effect on December 31, 2026); both the upper and lower limits of fines for drunk driving have been raised. As of 2026-11-01, the uniform penalty standards table (統一裁罰基準表) in the national laws and regulations database is still the May 26, 2026 version and has not been adjusted to match, so the actual amount is subject to the adjudication notice and the latest announcements of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. For violations on or before October 30, the more favorable provision applies under Article 5 of the administrative penalties act (行政罰法).
What separates 0.15 from 0.25
| Breath alcohol concentration (per liter) | Blood alcohol concentration | Legal consequence |
|---|
| Below 0.15 mg | Below 0.03% | Below the standard in Article 114 of the Road Traffic Safety Rules; but if other circumstances show that drinking alcohol makes the person unable to drive safely, it may still constitute an offense under Article 185-3, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 2 of the criminal code |
| 0.15 mg or more, below 0.25 mg | 0.03% or more, below 0.05% | Administrative penalties: a fine under Article 35 of the Act, impoundment, suspension of the license and plates, and a road safety course |
| 0.25 mg or more | 0.05% or more | In addition to administrative penalties, an offense under Article 185-3, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1 of the criminal code; a passenger aged 18 or older in the same vehicle is also penalized |
Article 114, Subparagraph 2 of the Road Traffic Safety Rules provides that after drinking alcohol, a person whose breath alcohol concentration reaches 0.15 mg per liter or whose blood alcohol concentration reaches 0.03% or more may not drive; this is the threshold for "alcohol concentration exceeding the prescribed standard" in Article 35.
How much a first drunk-driving offense costs: old rules and new rules
The statutory fines under Article 35, Paragraphs 1 and 3 of the Act are as follows:
| Situation | On or before October 30, 2026 (old rules) | From October 31, 2026 (current) |
|---|
| First offense, motorcycle | NT$15,000–90,000 | NT$18,000–120,000 |
| First offense, car | NT$30,000–120,000 | NT$36,000–150,000 |
| Second offense within 10 years (at the maximum amount) | Motorcycle NT$90,000, car NT$120,000 | Motorcycle NT$120,000, car NT$150,000 |
The concentration-tiered amounts in the May 26, 2026 version of the penalty table (for example, 0.15 to below 0.25 mg: NT$15,000 for a motorcycle and NT$30,000 for a small vehicle) were set under the old rules, are already below the new lower limits, and do not apply to violations from October 31, 2026; the new amounts payable within the deadline (期限內) are subject to the amended penalty table and the adjudication notice.
Besides the fine, under Article 35 of the Act and the penalty table, there are these further penalties:
- The vehicle is moved and held in custody on the spot, and its plates are suspended for 2 years; if the driver causes serious injury or death, the vehicle is confiscated (Article 35, Paragraph 9).
- Driver's license suspension: 1 year for a motorcycle, 2 years for a car; if the driver is carrying a child under 12 or causes an accident that injures someone, 2 years for a motorcycle and 4 years for a car.
- If serious injury or death is caused: the driver's license is revoked and the person may not take the test for a new one.
- Driving a commercial large bus: the driver's license is revoked.
- The driver must attend a road traffic safety course; if a rental vehicle operator had already fulfilled its duty to inform and the driver still drove drunk, the fine is increased by one half.
Because these penalties already include license suspension, under Article 63, Paragraph 2 of the Act, someone who has already received a license suspension or revocation penalty does not receive demerit points.
Repeat offenses within 10 years and refusing the test: fines of NT$180,000 and up
| Situation | Current fine | Other penalties | Provision |
|---|
| Second drunk-driving offense within 10 years | At the maximum fine: motorcycle NT$120,000, car NT$150,000 | Impoundment and license revocation; the highway authority may publish the person's name, photo and the violation | Article 35, Paragraph 3 |
| Third or later offense within 10 years | The previous fine plus NT$90,000 | Same as above | Article 35, Paragraph 3 |
| Not stopping as directed at a posted alcohol-testing location, refusing the alcohol test, or drinking again before the test or, after an accident, before the test | NT$180,000 | Impoundment, license revocation, suspension of the plates for 2 years | Article 35, Paragraph 4 |
| Second refusal or similar act within 10 years | NT$360,000 | Same as above, and the name and photo may be published | Article 35, Paragraph 5 |
| Third or later refusal or similar act within 10 years | The previous fine plus NT$180,000 | Same as above | Article 35, Paragraph 5 |
| Vehicle owner who knows the driver is drunk and does not prohibit it | A fine under Article 35, Paragraph 1 | Suspension of the vehicle's plates for 2 years | Article 35, Paragraph 7 |
Retaking the test: Article 67 of the Act provides that a person whose license is revoked under the first part of Article 35, Paragraph 3 or the first part of Paragraph 4 may not take the test for a new license for 3 years; one revoked under the first part of Paragraph 5 may not do so for 5 years; and anyone whose license is revoked under Article 35 may not take the test for a new license until they have completed drunk-driving prevention education or alcohol addiction treatment.
Passengers in the same vehicle and bicycle riders can be penalized too
Passengers in the same vehicle: Article 35, Paragraph 8 of the Act provides that when the driver's tested breath alcohol concentration reaches 0.25 mg per liter or blood alcohol 0.05% or more, a passenger aged 18 or older in the same vehicle is fined NT$6,000–15,000; but passengers aged 70 or older, passengers with intellectual disabilities (心智障礙), or passengers of motor transport businesses (for example taxis and buses) are not penalized. The amounts payable within the deadline in the penalty table:
| Driver's breath alcohol concentration (per liter) | Passenger on a motorcycle | Passenger in a small vehicle | Passenger in a large vehicle |
|---|
| 0.25 to below 0.55 mg | NT$6,000 | NT$9,000 | NT$10,000 |
| 0.55 mg or more | NT$9,000 | NT$10,000 | NT$15,000 |
Bicycles (slow vehicles): Article 73, Paragraph 2 of the Act (the amended text in force from October 31, 2026) provides that a slow-vehicle driver whose alcohol concentration exceeds the prescribed standard is fined NT$2,400–12,000 and is prohibited from riding on the spot. Paragraph 3 provides a fine of NT$24,000 for refusing the alcohol test and similar situations. Before the amendment, these were NT$1,200–2,400 and NT$4,800 respectively.
Who stops you and who fines you in Taipei and New Taipei
Drunk-driving cases are usually stopped, tested and ticketed on the spot by police agencies. Article 35 falls under Chapter 2 of the Act, and under Article 7 of the handling rules (處理細則), the highway authority of the special municipality (直轄市) delegates the power to penalize to an agency under it. Because penalties such as suspension of the license and plates are involved, the notice usually has the box checked requiring you to appear at the designated place to await adjudication, so paying at a convenience store alone does not settle it.
| City | Stops and ticketing | Ticket, suspension penalties and appeals |
|---|
| Taipei City | Taipei City police department (臺北市政府警察局), traffic police division (交通警察大隊) (02) 2375-2100 | Taipei City traffic case adjudication office (臺北市交通事件裁決所) (follow the designated place to appear stated on the notice) |
| New Taipei City | New Taipei City Police Department, traffic police division (交通警察大隊) (02) 2225-5999 | New Taipei City traffic case adjudication office (新北市政府交通事件裁決處) (follow the designated place to appear stated on the notice) |
The process for appearing, paying and appealing is set out in how to look up and pay traffic tickets.
Criminal liability: Article 185-3 of the criminal code
- Paragraph 1: A person who drives a powered vehicle with a breath alcohol concentration of 0.25 mg per liter or blood alcohol of 0.05% or more, or where other circumstances show that drinking makes the person unable to drive safely, is punished with imprisonment of up to 3 years and may in addition be fined up to NT$300,000.
- Paragraph 2: If death results, imprisonment of not less than 3 years and not more than 10 years, and a fine of up to NT$2,000,000 may be added; if serious injury results, imprisonment of not less than 1 year and not more than 7 years, and a fine of up to NT$1,000,000 may be added.
- Paragraph 3: A person who was previously finally convicted, or finally given a deferred prosecution, for an offense under this Article or Article 54 of the armed forces criminal code (陸海空軍刑法), and commits the offense in Paragraph 1 again within 10 years, causing death, is punished with life imprisonment or imprisonment of not less than 5 years, and a fine of up to NT$3,000,000 may be added; if serious injury results, imprisonment of not less than 3 years and not more than 10 years, and a fine of up to NT$2,000,000 may be added.
Article 35 of the Act further provides that if a person who also violated criminal law is finally sentenced to a criminal fine lower than the minimum administrative fine under the Act, the shortfall must be paid. If you are heading home after a meal out, see taxi fares and night surcharges in Taipei and New Taipei.
FAQ
How long after one beer can I drive?
The law looks only at the measured alcohol concentration, and there is no official conversion for "you may drive after so many hours"; everyone metabolizes alcohol at a different speed. This article's suggestion: if you have had any alcohol, do not drive or ride that day; take public transport or a taxi instead.
Am I definitely fine if my breath test is 0.15 or below?
Not necessarily. Below 0.15 mg is not drunk driving under Article 35 of the Act, but Article 185-3, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 2 of the criminal code provides that if other circumstances show that drinking made the person unable to drive safely, the offense of endangering public safety (公共危險罪) can still be established.
What is the fine for a first-time drunk motorcycle rider at 0.2?
From October 31, 2026, the statutory fine for drunk motorcycle riding is NT$18,000–120,000; the amount payable within the deadline under a penalty table matching the new rules has not yet been announced, so go by the adjudication notice. In addition, the motorcycle is moved and held in custody on the spot, the license is suspended (1 year for a motorcycle under the penalty table), the plates are suspended for 2 years, and the rider attends a road safety course.
Will I be fined for riding in a drunk friend's car?
If the driver's breath alcohol reaches 0.25 mg per liter or more, a passenger aged 18 or older in the same vehicle is fined NT$6,000–15,000, for example NT$9,000 payable within the deadline in a small vehicle. Passengers aged 70 or older, passengers with intellectual disabilities, and passengers in a taxi or bus are not penalized.
What happens if I refuse the alcohol test?
Under Article 35, Paragraph 4 of the Act the fine is NT$180,000, the vehicle is moved and held in custody on the spot, the driver's license is revoked, and the plates are suspended for 2 years; for a second time within 10 years, the fine is NT$360,000.
Last updated: 2026-11-01
This article was compiled by SOSfix editors from public information and is for general reference only; for individual cases, contact the Taipei City police department, the New Taipei City Police Department or the motor vehicles office (監理機關).
Sources
- National laws and regulations database (全國法規資料庫): Road Traffic Management and Penalties Act (in Chinese; amended August 17, 2026; verified 2026-11-01): the current fines, impoundment, suspension and revocation, confiscation and passengers in the same vehicle under Article 35; the periods in which retaking the test is barred, and drunk-driving prevention education, under Article 67; slow-vehicle drunk driving under Article 73, Paragraphs 2 and 3; no demerit points under Article 63, Paragraph 2.
- Executive Yuan gazette (行政院公報): Executive Yuan order No. 1151027653 (院臺交字第 1151027653 號令) of October 28, 2026 (in Chinese; verified 2026-11-01): the provisions amended on August 17, 2026 take effect on October 31, 2026, and Article 35, Paragraphs 6 and 15 on December 31, 2026.
- National laws and regulations database: Road Traffic Management and Penalties Act, historical provisions (in Chinese; version amended January 14, 2026; verified 2026-11-01): the old-rule fines in Articles 35 and 73 (applicable on or before October 30, 2026).
- National laws and regulations database: Road Traffic Management and Penalties Act, legislative history (in Chinese; data cut-off October 22, 2026; verified 2026-11-01): amendments promulgated on August 17, 2026 to Articles 21, 21-1, 35, 67, 73, 85-2 and 85-3 (this page has not yet recorded the October 28 order setting the effective date).
- National laws and regulations database: the uniform penalty standards and handling rules for road traffic violations (in Chinese; 違反道路交通管理事件統一裁罰基準及處理細則; amended May 26, 2026; verified 2026-11-01): Article 7, under which Chapter 2 cases are penalized by agencies to which the special municipality's highway authority delegates the power.
- Taipei City police department traffic police division: Taipei traffic violation reporting page (in Chinese; 臺北市交通違規檢舉專區; verified 2026-11-01): the telephone number of the Taipei traffic police division.
- New Taipei City Police Department traffic police division: traffic violation reporting system (in Chinese; 交通違規檢舉系統; verified 2026-11-01): the telephone number of the New Taipei traffic police division.
- National laws and regulations database: Road Traffic Safety Rules (in Chinese; amended June 26, 2026; verified 2026-11-01): the 0.15 mg and 0.03% standards in Article 114, Subparagraph 2.
- National laws and regulations database: uniform penalty standards table for road traffic violations (in Chinese; 違反道路交通管理事件統一裁罰基準表; appendix to Article 2 of the handling rules, downloaded 2026-11-01): the May 26, 2026 version, with the old-rule amounts payable within the deadline at each concentration (not yet amended after the new rules took effect), the license suspension periods, and the amounts payable within the deadline for passengers.
- National laws and regulations database: administrative penalties act (in Chinese; 行政罰法; amended June 15, 2022; verified 2026-11-01): Article 5, under which the most favorable provision applies when the law changes after the act.
- National laws and regulations database: criminal code of the Republic of China (in Chinese; 中華民國刑法; amended July 22, 2026; Article 185-3 last amended December 27, 2023; verified 2026-11-01): the penalties in Article 185-3, Paragraphs 1 to 3.
