Accelerating the Introduction of 'Class 1 Automatic Driving License'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The police are expected to soon begin full-scale implementation of the preparation process for the newly introduced Class 1 automatic driver's license this year.

According to the National Police Agency on the 3rd, the police will start establishing detailed plans based on the results of a research project on improving the current driver's license system as early as this month. The police commissioned the research project last July and aim to finalize the detailed plan by May.

A vehicle from the driver's license test center waiting at the starting line.

The current system has remained unchanged for 27 years since the introduction of the Class 2 automatic license in 1996. While the Class 2 regular license is divided into 'automatic' and 'manual,' the Class 1 regular license is limited to 'manual,' which has been criticized for not reflecting reality. This is because automatic transmissions, once mainly installed only in passenger cars, have now become standard in all vehicles. The growing demand for mini-vans seating 11 to 15 people, large family cars suitable for car camping (cha-bak) and camping, is also a factor increasing the need for the introduction of the Class 1 automatic license.

The police expect that if a Class 1 regular license (automatic), which restricts driving to vehicles with automatic transmissions like the Class 2 license, is introduced, public convenience will be greatly enhanced. In fact, a national survey conducted last year by the Korea ITS Society showed that 81.7% of Class 1 regular license (manual) holders actually drive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, and 75.8% of respondents supported the introduction of the Class 1 regular (automatic) license.

The police plan to first prepare the legal basis, including amendments to related road traffic laws, as soon as the research project results are available. At the same time, they will secure budgets and personnel for deploying and operating test vehicles (automatic transmission) at driving test centers (27 locations) and driving schools (351 locations). Since purchasing, inspecting, and approving the use of test vehicles will take a considerable amount of time during this period, prior consultations with test centers and driving schools will also be conducted concurrently.