South Korea Proposes Road Traffic Act Changes for Fairness, Efficiency

The National Police Agency has announced a public pre-announcement for proposed amendments to the Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act. These significant changes, which aim to enhance fairness in administrative sanctions, improve emergency vehicle response, and boost public convenience, are now open for public consultation until May 11, 2026.

One key aspect of the proposed revisions addresses the application of penalty points and administrative actions for traffic violations. The amendments clarify that administrative penalties, such as penalty points leading to driver’s license suspension or revocation, will primarily apply to operators of vehicles that require a driver’s license. This means violations committed while operating vehicles such as bicycles or agricultural machinery, which do not require a standard driver’s license, will no longer directly impact an individual’s general driving license. Furthermore, new regulations will introduce 10 penalty points for specific offenses, including failing to yield or stop for emergency vehicles, and the improper use of emergency vehicle lights or sirens for non-emergency purposes. The amendments also seek to strengthen restrictions on reduced administrative sanctions for repeat drunk driving offenders by expanding the look-back period for prior offenses, aligning with the country’s ‘two-strikes-out’ policy.

To enhance public convenience, the National Police Agency plans to diversify payment options for various fees. Citizens will soon be able to use credit cards, debit cards, and other electronic payment methods in addition to cash for government services. The proposed changes also address the operational framework for the ‘visiting road training’ program, an innovative initiative for driving education. This includes establishing clear procedures for the registration and insurance verification of training vehicles and enabling digital attendance tracking through devices like tablet PCs and tachographs.

Administrative efficiency is another focus, with plans to update and standardize various official forms related to driver’s licenses. This includes reflecting recent changes to driver’s license renewal periods, which are now set for six months before and after a driver’s birthday. Forms will also see improvements such as standardized English name fields, the removal of outdated requirements for adhesive stamps, and the modernization of medical terminology to ensure clarity and ease of understanding for the public.

The public consultation period for these proposed amendments runs from March 30, 2026, until May 11, 2026. Individuals, organizations, and institutions are encouraged to submit their opinions online via the National Participation in Legislation Center at http://opinion.lawmaking.go.kr. Alternatively, written feedback can be sent to the National Police Agency’s Traffic Planning Division. Submissions should include whether the opinion supports or opposes the proposal (with specific reasons if against), along with the submitter’s name (or organization name and representative), address, and contact details. For further inquiries, contact the Traffic Planning Division at 02-3150-0659 or acepollej@police.go.kr.

Source: 법제처 — Original Article (Korean)