A Keelung man lost his court appeal against a NT$36,000 fine for parking his motorcycle in a roadside public parking space with no license plate — bad news for riders who leave a bike outside while it is being repaired.

• The bike was parked, not being ridden, and the plate had been removed by the repair shop, but the court said that makes no difference.
• Taiwan's traffic law treats parking spaces as part of the road, so any vehicle there must have plates displayed.
• The law sets a range of NT$3,600 to NT$36,000 but then orders the maximum penalty, leaving officials no room to reduce it.
• The plate was also confiscated on top of the fine.
• Owners are expected to keep an unplated vehicle in a garage, repair shop, or other spot off the road.

Outlook: With courts backing the automatic maximum penalty, riders whose plates come off for repairs should expect no leniency if the bike ends up on the street.