Gwangju City Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Rental of Cars to Unlicensed Minors

From October 26 to November 6, targeting 61 companies

Gwangju City Hall

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 22nd that, together with autonomous districts and the Rent-a-Car Association, it will conduct intensive crackdowns on illegal business activities targeting 61 rent-a-car and car-sharing rental companies with main offices in the jurisdiction from the 26th of this month to the 6th of next month.

This joint inspection will check ▲whether unlicensed minors' rental qualifications are verified ▲on-site inspections of shared car (car-sharing) reservation offices ▲unregistered business operations ▲whether rent-a-cars have comprehensive insurance ▲compliance with rent-a-car registration conditions and related laws and regulations.

In particular, as accidents involving minors using rent-a-cars have been steadily increasing recently, the inspection will focus on verifying whether legal guardians' consent was obtained from minors and whether the 'Driver's License Information Automatic Verification System' operated by the Road Traffic Authority was used to check if the renter's license is suspended.

Also, since some unlicensed minors rented rent-a-cars through online shared car (car-sharing) services, the inspection will verify unreported business operations at local car-sharing reservation offices and whether parking spaces are secured at these reservation offices.

Along with this, due to concerns about the spread of infections caused by the weakening of COVID-19 quarantine awareness and increased outdoor activities during the autumn foliage season, the rent-a-car disinfection status will also be inspected concurrently.

Companies caught in this crackdown will be subject to administrative measures such as correction orders and fines, and unregistered companies' business activities will be subject to prosecution.

Currently, the National Assembly is scheduled to promulgate new provisions for identity theft and penalties for the identity holders during the rent-a-car rental process, stipulating that violations will be punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

Son Doo-young, head of the city's public transportation division, said, “As there have been many cases recently where unlicensed minors rent cars, threatening citizens' safety and property, we plan to conduct intensive crackdowns to eradicate illegal business activities,” adding, “We will disclose the results and details of the crackdown through the Gwangju city website.”