Dementia Screening Conducted Alongside License Renewal Procedures
Uiryeong County in South Gyeongsang Province announced on September 11 that it is operating a "One-Stop On-Site License Renewal Service for Senior Drivers" to assist drivers aged 75 and older in renewing their driver's licenses.
On September 10, the county conducted traffic safety education and driving ability assessments for about 20 senior drivers at the auditorium on the second floor of the Uiryeong County Health Center. This service was established to allow drivers aged 75 and above to complete the mandatory education and assessment procedures required every three years under the Road Traffic Act in a single session.
In particular, this session was held at the health center so that dementia screening could be conducted alongside the other procedures. Dementia screening is a mandatory requirement for license renewal for drivers aged 75 and older, and the county designated the health center as the venue to facilitate this process efficiently. As a result, senior drivers were able to complete all necessary steps for license renewal in one place through this one-stop service.
Previously, senior drivers had to visit driver's license test centers in external cities such as Changwon or Busan to renew their licenses, which caused significant inconvenience. Reflecting this reality, the county collaborated with the Ulsan-Gyeongnam Branch of the Korea Road Traffic Authority to design this service, enabling senior drivers with mobility challenges to complete all required procedures locally.
According to the county, there are about 400 senior drivers aged 75 and older eligible for license renewal each year within the jurisdiction, and the county plans to expand the schedule for future sessions accordingly.
County Governor Oh Tae-wan stated, "As concerns about traffic accidents caused by declining cognitive function among senior drivers grow, we will do our utmost to create a safe driving environment through thorough and attentive support."
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