Rep. Lee Hyung-seok: "A Driver's License Test Center Should Also Be Established in Gwangju"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Among the 16 metropolitan autonomous regions nationwide, Gwangju Metropolitan City is the only one without a driver's license testing center, causing citizens who wish to obtain a license to incur relatively excessive costs.

Lee Hyung-seok, a member of the National Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Gwangju Buk-gu Eul), stated, "Currently, there are 27 driver's license testing centers in 15 cities and provinces nationwide, but Gwangju is the only metropolitan city without one," adding, "As a result, Gwangju citizens have to travel all the way to the Naju Driver's License Testing Center in Jeollanam-do to take various tests and inspections, causing significant inconvenience."

He continued, "According to the 2019 new driver's license issuance data submitted by the Road Traffic Authority, the number of new driver's licenses issued through the Naju Driver's License Testing Center in Jeollanam-do was 40,733, of which 23,132 were examinees residing in Gwangju Metropolitan City, accounting for 56% of the total," emphasizing, "This demand level is similar to that of Busan Metropolitan City, another metropolitan city, and is much higher than that of Daejeon Metropolitan City."

He also noted, "According to data from the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency, 85% of all license acquisitions in Gwangju last year were obtained through driving schools," stating, "This is a 7% increase from 78% in 2018, and the rate is expected to continue rising annually."

Furthermore, he argued, "This indicates that most new driver's license holders in the Gwangju area obtain their licenses through Gwangju driving schools because the Naju Driver's License Testing Center is too far away."

Assemblyman Lee pointed out, "Obtaining a license through a driving school costs about eight times more than at a driver's license testing center," and criticized, "Due to the absence of a driver's license testing center in Gwangju, an estimated 26.5 billion KRW annually is directly passed on to examinees as additional costs for obtaining a license."

He added, "To minimize administrative inconvenience for Gwangju residents regarding driver's licenses, reduce unnecessary social costs, and alleviate the economic burden on examinees, a Gwangju Driver's License Testing Center must be established."