Taiwan to Screen 47,000 Drivers Using Government Health Data

Taiwan plans to allow road authorities to use health data to identify drivers who might no longer be medically fit to hold a license, affecting about 47,000 motorists.

The proposed system would cover drivers with visual impairments, epilepsy, and moderate or severe dementia, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said.

Under the plan expected to take effect by the end of this year, road authorities will periodically obtain records from government agencies managing subsidies or insurance programs to cross-check against driver registries.

How the Medical Cross-Checks Work

Flagged drivers will receive notices requiring a fresh qualification assessment. Those who fail the evaluation must surrender their licenses immediately.

Data transfers will follow strict minimization rules, according to the ministry. Road agencies may access only records explicitly tied to the three designated conditions.

Currently, drivers with epilepsy can secure a permit only by submitting medical certification verifying they have remained seizure-free for at least two years. The new protocol closes the gap between renewal cycles by detecting diagnoses that happen after initial licensing.

Operational Pressure on Transport Fleets

For commercial transport operators, courier networks, and last-mile delivery services, automated screening increases compliance pressure. Fleet supervisors who rely on independent contractors or aging drivers must prepare for sudden license revocations when medical records trigger reviews.

Fleet operators must shift from periodic manual checks to continuous monitoring. Companies facing labor shortages will need faster onboarding pipelines to replace workers sidelined by automatic state disqualifications.

Legislative Backing and Implementation Timeline

Revisions to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act passed in November last year provide legal backing. Those changes mandate qualification reviews whenever a motorist experiences physical or mental deterioration that impairs driving capability.

Transport officials plan to launch the data-sharing network before the end of this year. Initial review notices will go out immediately after rollout.