You Can Drive a Private Taxi in Seoul Even Without Corporate Taxi Experience

Seoul City, Also Eases Platform Taxi Fare Regulations

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] It is now possible to obtain a personal taxi license without prior experience in corporate taxis. Fare regulations for platform taxis such as KakaoT and Makgeolli will be eased.

According to Seoul City on the 5th, under the amended Passenger Transport Service Act to be implemented in April, starting this year, individuals who meet certain accident-free requirements can receive a personal taxi license without having driving experience in corporate taxis or other commercial vehicles. This measure aims to alleviate the aging of personal taxi drivers and encourage the influx of young and middle-aged drivers.

Previously, most taxis operated as mid-sized taxis, and license transfers were only possible within mid-sized taxis. However, from February next year, large passenger vans and premium taxis can be transferred without converting to mid-sized taxis. To encourage new corporate operators to enter the market, the requirement of three years of corporate taxi operator business experience for converting licenses from mid-sized to large or premium taxis will be removed.

The mandatory "Kkotdam Hwangto" (flower mud yellow-brown) color applied to corporate taxi vehicles will now be optional for personal taxis, allowing a choice among white, silver, or Kkotdam Hwangto colors.

For platform-affiliated taxis, vehicle exterior regulations will be relaxed starting in April, and a voluntary fare reporting system will be applied. However, fare plans will be adjusted considering public sentiment and general mid-sized taxi fares.

Kim Ki-bong, head of the Taxi Logistics Division at Seoul City, stated, "By easing unnecessary regulations on the taxi industry, citizens will be able to use comfortable and diverse services, and taxi operators will be able to improve management by reducing social costs. We will actively support the revitalization of the stagnant taxi industry going forward."

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