Korea to Amend Road Traffic Act on Autonomous Vehicles, Foreign Licenses

The National Police Agency of Korea has announced a proposed amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act, inviting public feedback on changes designed to enhance clarity and efficiency in traffic regulations. The proposed revisions specifically address administrative procedures related to autonomous vehicles and the processing of foreign driver’s licenses.

Proposed Amendments

The primary aim of the amendment is to streamline the operation of current systems by clarifying legal bases for handling sensitive information and ensuring accuracy in regulatory language. One key change involves establishing a clear legal foundation for the processing of unique identification information, such as resident registration numbers, which are essential for managing safety education programs for autonomous vehicles and driver’s license renewals.

Additionally, the revision seeks to improve the clarity of regulations concerning foreign driver’s licenses. It proposes to explicitly include the relevant legal article (Article 52) in the title of the appendix form, which outlines the criteria for partially exempting foreign license holders from certain parts of the driver’s license examination. This modification aims to prevent omissions and enhance the transparency of the exemption process for international residents.

Public Input Invited

As part of Korea’s legislative process, the National Police Agency is soliciting opinions from institutions, organizations, and individuals regarding these proposed changes. The public comment period runs from March 30, 2026, to May 11, 2026. Interested parties can submit their feedback online through the National Participation in Legislation Center website.

Alternatively, written opinions can be submitted directly to the National Police Agency. Submissions should include whether you support or oppose the proposed changes (with reasons for opposition), your name (or organization name and representative), address, and contact information. Opinions can be sent via email to acepollej@police.go.kr, by mail to the Traffic Planning Division, National Police Agency (97 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03739), or by fax to 02-3150-3851.

For further inquiries or detailed information on the amendment, individuals may contact the National Police Agency’s Traffic Planning Division directly at 02-3150-0659.

Source: 법제처 — Original Article (Korean)