Teenagers' "Dangerous Pranks": Secondhand Car Transactions Fuel Unlicensed Driving

A car accident involving an underage, unlicensed driver in Busan has sparked controversy, revealing blind spots in the management of secondhand trading platforms. It has been confirmed that teenagers were able to purchase vehicles and drive on the road without significant restrictions, which has raised calls to improve the current system.

According to the Geumjeong Police Station in Busan on April 16, a group of teenagers, including high school and middle school students, are under investigation after causing a car accident while driving in the Geumjeong-gu area of Busan.

A teenage unlicensed driving accident in Busan has sparked controversy by revealing blind spots in the management of used goods trading platforms. The fact that teenagers were able to purchase vehicles and drive on the road without significant restrictions has raised calls for regulatory improvements. The Asia Business Daily

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Police investigations found that the driver of the Tucson involved in the accident was a middle school student, referred to as A. The vehicle was registered under the name of B’s father, with B being a high school student who was a passenger at the time. The accident occurred when they tried to avoid an Equus vehicle that was changing lanes, resulting in a collision with a roadside tree. The Equus was also driven by a high school student, referred to as C, and both of his passengers were teenage boys as well.

The most serious issue is how these teenagers acquired the vehicles. During the transaction, there was no verification of the buyer’s identity or whether they held a valid driver’s license. The seller also handed over the vehicle without any verification. As a result, the vehicles were delivered directly to the teenagers, which then led to unlicensed driving.

Furthermore, it was revealed that the teens attempted to avoid legal responsibility by registering the vehicles under the name of an acquaintance in their 20s. This practice of borrowing someone else’s name is illegal and complicates the determination of responsibility in the event of an accident. In fact, police have reported difficulties in their investigation as statements from those involved are inconsistent and they have been unable to reach some individuals.

In recent years, there has been a consistent occurrence of cases where teenagers are caught driving without a license after purchasing vehicles or motorcycles through second-hand transactions. The Asia Business Daily

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This incident has led some to argue that the 'convenience' of secondhand trading platforms exposes structural limitations. While local, direct-personal transaction services are fast and convenient, when it comes to high-risk items such as cars, they often lack adequate safety measures. As vehicles are not ordinary products but are directly linked to the safety of others in the event of an accident, there is a growing demand to at least verify the qualifications of buyers.

Similar cases continue to occur. In recent years, there have been consistent cases of teenagers being caught driving without a license after purchasing cars or motorcycles through secondhand transactions. Some online communities are even sharing information on how to buy vehicles at low prices, fostering an environment that encourages unlicensed driving. There are also repeated cases of teenagers using their parents’ cars without permission. Notably, in this accident, one of the vehicles involved was registered under the father of one of the teenagers. This issue goes beyond just unlicensed driving and raises questions about the responsibility of parental supervision. A police official stated, "We are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the accident, as well as the involvement of the individuals in unlicensed driving and any abetment. We are also looking into how the vehicles were acquired and how their ownership was registered."

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