9 Out of 10 Dementia Patients Who Underwent Driving Aptitude Tests Retained Their Licenses

95% of Those Tested Last Year Retained Their Licenses

Last year, more than 9 out of 10 patients diagnosed with dementia who underwent a driving aptitude test effectively retained their driver's licenses.

According to data submitted by the Korea Road Traffic Authority to Assemblywoman Seo Myungok of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, a total of 1,235 people underwent review by the Driving Aptitude Judgment Committee last year after being diagnosed with dementia. Of these, 63.1% (779 people) were deemed "fit to drive," and 32.2% (398 people) received a "deferred" judgment. If the majority of committee members present vote in favor of passing, the license is maintained.

Even in cases where a "deferred" judgment is given, the license is still maintained, but the individual must undergo a re-examination after one year. Combined, those who passed or received a deferral accounted for 95% of the total, meaning that the vast majority of dementia patients subject to testing continue to drive.

Previously, in 2023, 93.5% of 1,376 people retained their licenses, and in 2022, 95.1% of 913 people did so, showing a similar trend.

The Korea Road Traffic Authority selectively convenes the Driving Aptitude Judgment Committee for some patients who submit a dementia diagnosis and conducts ad hoc aptitude tests. Last year, 18,568 dementia patients were subject to driving aptitude assessment, and of these, 6.7%, or 1,235 people, actually underwent the test.

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