Road Traffic Authority Temporarily Suspends Elderly Driver Education and Functional Instructor Exams Due to 'COVID-19'

The vehicle for the test is being sterilized and disinfected at the Daegu Driver's License Examination Center of the Korea Road Traffic Authority. / Provided by Korea Road Traffic Authority

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The Korea Road Traffic Authority announced on the 26th that it has temporarily suspended traffic safety education for elderly drivers aged 75 and over until the end of April due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

This measure follows the National Police Agency's decision to uniformly extend the license renewal period until the end of this year for elderly drivers aged 75 and over whose driver's license renewal period expires at the end of April. Elderly drivers subject to education can complete the training sequentially through reservations and visits starting in May. However, the Korea Road Traffic Authority will consider further extensions of the suspension period if the situation worsens.

Additionally, the Authority decided to temporarily postpone the qualification exam for driving school instructors, which was scheduled for the 29th of this month, until the crisis alert level is downgraded and the spread is under control.

The Authority has also strengthened disinfection measures at branches and driver's license test centers frequently visited by civil petitioners. Comprehensive disinfection was conducted throughout the buildings and practical test centers, and hand sanitizers, masks, and cleaning supplies were provided. In particular, the driver's license test center in Daegu, where a large number of confirmed cases occurred, planned disinfection operations five times in total.

The Authority also urged the public to use the integrated safe driving civil service website (www.safedriving.or.kr) to minimize unnecessary visits. Services such as reissuance and renewal of driver's licenses due to loss can be applied for through the website and collected at the nearest police station civil service office, while international driving permits can be applied for online and received by registered mail at home or other desired locations.

An official from the Authority said, “To prevent community transmission of COVID-19, we have established a headquarters response team (TF) and are doing our best to prepare countermeasures. We ask that you actively use the online site and cooperate with the Authority’s guidance while paying attention to personal hygiene during visits.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.