The transportation ministry said Friday that it will order Uber to shut down its operations in Taiwan unless the smartphone app-based transport network obtains the correct business permit.
According to the ministry, Uber has registered in Taiwan as an information services business. But in reality, is it operating a transportation business. The company has also recruited drivers who do not have the commercial driver's licenses normally required for taxi drivers.
The Uber app takes ride requests from users and pairs them with drivers to save users the hassle of hailing a taxi.
Since September, the government has slapped dozens of fines on the company and its drivers for violating the Highway Act. It said that the company has continued to ignore Taiwan's legal requirements and has still not filed an application for a car transport business license.
San Francisco-based Uber entered the Taiwan market in mid-2013. As with many other countries where the company has launched services, it has faced hurdles in Taiwan due to local regulations and opposition from taxi drivers worried about losing business.