4.9 Million Eligible for Driver's License Renewal This Year
National Police Agency: "Four-Hour Waits Expected If You Delay Until Year-End"
This year, approximately 4.9 million people are eligible to renew their driver's licenses, marking the highest number in the past 15 years. The National Police Agency has urged eligible individuals to renew their licenses immediately, rather than waiting until the end of the year when congestion typically increases due to a surge in renewals.
According to the National Police Agency on July 6, the number of people eligible for driver's license renewal this year is 4,871,960. This is an increase of about 1 million compared to last year, when the number was 3,895,893. As of the first half of this year, 1,819,839 people, or about 37% of those eligible, had completed their renewals.
The National Police Agency warned that if people postpone their renewals until the end of the year, waiting times could increase dramatically. As of December last year, the agency explained that an average of 2,000 people per hour waited more than four hours at driver's license examination centers as many rushed to renew at the last minute.
In contrast, the average waiting time for license renewal services up to June this year was about 20 minutes, which is more than 10 times faster than at the end of the year. The National Police Agency stated, "If you renew your license now, it will only take about one-tenth of the time compared to the end of the year," and added, "Since the number of eligible people has increased compared to last year, waiting times at the end of the year could be even longer than last year. Please renew your license now."
Driver's license renewals can be processed by visiting any of the 27 driver's license examination centers or police stations nationwide. If you use the Korea Road Traffic Authority's Safe Driving Integrated Civil Service, the process can be completed within 20 minutes. However, holders of Class 1 large or special driver's licenses, as well as drivers aged 75 and older, must visit the examination center in person for a physical examination, cognitive screening test (CIST), and traffic safety education. If you miss the renewal period, you will be subject to a fine and may experience inconvenience, such as being unable to use the "driver's license verification service" currently offered by financial institutions.
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