Taiwan Renames Vehicle Fuel Fee to Highway Maintenance Fee, Updates Payment Notices

(CNA, Taipei, May 21, by reporter Huang Hsi-Wen) In line with the amendment to the Highway Act, the "Automobile Fuel Usage Fee" has been renamed the "Highway Usage, Maintenance, and Safety Management Fee." The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) stated today that starting this year, payment notices will be sent out under the new name, and reminded the public to be aware of the change.

Following the amendment to Article 27 of the Highway Act, promulgated by the President on December 19, 114 (of the Republic of China calendar), which changed the name of the "Automobile Fuel Usage Fee" to the "Highway Usage, Maintenance, and Safety Management Fee," the MOTC today announced the revision of the "Regulations for the Collection and Distribution of the Automobile Fuel Usage Fee." The regulations' title was updated to "Regulations for the Collection and Distribution of the Highway Usage, Maintenance, and Safety Management Fee" to align with the Highway Act. Other related regulations will also be amended to change the fee's name.

The MOTC issued a press release stating that the primary reason for renaming the fee is to make its name consistent with its purpose of collection for highway maintenance, construction, and safety management. The amendments to related regulations only adjust the name; the collection period, payment methods, and fee standards all remain unchanged.

The MOTC noted that the Highway Bureau will begin using the new "Highway Usage, Maintenance, and Safety Management Fee" name on payment notices this year, reminding the public to pay attention to official payment information.

When receiving payment notices for the fee from the Highway Bureau's district motor vehicle offices, the MOTC urges the public to verify the official source of information. The short code for SMS messages from motor vehicle agencies is 111, which helps the public quickly identify them as government notifications. The official website for motor vehicle services is https://www.mvdis.gov.tw/. The MOTC calls on the public to be vigilant and not to click on text messages or links from unknown sources to avoid being scammed. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150521