Increase in Camping Enthusiasts Leads to 1.4x Rise in Small Trailer License Applicants Over 5 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Recently, with the increase in leisure activities such as camping, the number of applicants for the 'Small Trailer Towing License' required to tow camping trailers has increased by about 1.4 times over five years.

According to an analysis by the Road Traffic Authority on the status of the Type 1 Special License exams from 2017 to 2021, the number of applicants for the Small Trailer Towing License rose from 7,994 in 2017 to 11,519 in 2021. The number of successful candidates also increased from 5,148 in 2017 to 7,132 in 2021, about 1.4 times more. The Small Trailer Towing License, which falls under the Type 1 Special License category, permits towing trailers with a total weight exceeding 750 kg but not exceeding 3,000 kg. For trailers weighing 750 kg or less, a Class 2 Regular License or higher is sufficient, while trailers exceeding 3,000 kg require a Large Trailer Towing License. The Authority attributed the increase in applicants for the Small Trailer Towing License to the rise in leisure activities such as camping. As of 2020, the camping population grew to approximately 7 million, leading to increased demand for camping caravans and cargo trailers towable by private vehicles.

The Authority urged special caution regarding the 'Sway' phenomenon that can occur when towing trailers to prevent traffic accidents involving small trailers. The Sway phenomenon refers to the trailer swaying due to wind or other influences and is also called the 'Fish tail' phenomenon because it shakes like a fish's tail. A representative from the Road Traffic Authority stated, "When towing a trailer, you handle much more weight and volume, so control and precision on the road significantly decrease," adding, "As the demand for trailer operation increases, special attention must be paid to safe driving."

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