Korean senior citizens who have struggled with the increasingly difficult written driver’s license renewal exam will no longer need to take it. On the 30th of last month, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced that it will no longer require written tests for eligible drivers aged 70 and older.

Steve Gordon, director of the DMV, stated in a press release, “We have decided to eliminate the written test requirement for seniors with a clean driving record as part of our effort to improve services.” He added, “Reducing the number of people who need to visit the DMV or the time spent at the DMV will result in better customer service.” Gordon also emphasized that although seniors aged 70 and older had been required to take the written test for license renewal, this was a policy, not a legal mandate.

However, drivers aged 70 and older are still required to undergo vision tests and have their photo taken to renew their licenses. Additionally, those who have been involved in two or more accidents within two years of their license expiration, three or more accidents within three years, received a DUI license suspension within two years of expiration, or accumulated more than one violation point within two years will still be required to take the written test.

The DMV also announced that some senior drivers whose licenses expire in 2024 may have received renewal notices indicating that they would need to take the written test. However, upon visiting the DMV, they will be exempt from the requirement. This change is expected to alleviate the burden on Korean seniors who have faced difficulties with the driver’s license renewal process. Recently, many Korean seniors have struggled to prepare for the renewal due to the increased difficulty of the written test. Frequent failures have occurred due to complex questions and incomplete translations. Additionally, many seniors unfamiliar with computer use have had trouble understanding the test format, leading to further complications at the testing site.

In response, Lee Seok-beom, president of Union Driving School, stated, “We welcome this decision by the DMV.” He continued, “The hardships that Korean seniors have experienced are indescribable. During the pandemic, the difficulty of the test increased significantly, and many people failed the exam.” Lee further emphasized, “It’s unfair to require tests every time just because someone is over 70 years old,” adding, “The fact that they haven’t received any penalty points is proof that they have been following the rules.”



<Hwang, Eui-kyung>