Yongin City Expands Free Driver's License Training to All Disabled Individuals

[Asia Economy (Yongin) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province is expanding free driver’s license acquisition education, which was previously supported only for some disabled individuals, to all disabled persons and vulnerable groups such as basic livelihood security recipients.

This measure aims to help socially disadvantaged groups, including the disabled and low-income individuals, secure stable employment.

Accordingly, free driver’s license (Class 1 and 2 regular) acquisition education, which was previously provided only to disabled persons with grades 1 to 4 and basic livelihood security recipients among grades 5 to 6 disabled, will now be available to all disabled persons holding a disability welfare card and basic livelihood security recipients starting this year.

Disabled persons or basic livelihood security recipients who wish to obtain a driver’s license and have the intention to work can apply by phone or visit the Yongin City Job Center’s dedicated window for the disabled by the 25th of each month.

To take the driver’s license test, disabled individuals must pass separate examination processes such as motor ability measurement tests, hearing tests, and specialist medical diagnoses depending on the degree of disability.

The education cost for obtaining the license is free, but the individual must bear the costs for disability-related examinations, test applications, and license issuance.

A city official stated, "We hope this will be an opportunity for vulnerable groups such as disabled persons and basic livelihood security recipients to acquire licenses and gain more diverse employment opportunities."

Previously, in October 2017, the city signed a business agreement with the Korea Road Traffic Authority Yongin Driver’s License Examination Center to support disabled persons in obtaining driver’s licenses.

According to the agreement, the Yongin Driver’s License Examination Center provides free academic and practical education necessary for the driver’s license test to candidates recommended by the city. The city discovers individuals wishing to obtain driver’s licenses and offers employment programs and job placement services for those who acquire licenses.