Give Up Your Driver’s License, Get Paid”: Korean City Offers Up to ₩1.8 Million to Senior Drivers Who Voluntarily Quit Driving

A local government in South Korea is drawing attention with a policy that offers substantial financial support to elderly drivers who voluntarily surrender their driver’s licenses. Gongju City in South Chungcheong Province announced that it will provide transportation subsidies of up to ₩1.8 million to eligible senior residents as part of an effort to prevent traffic accidents involving older drivers.

According to the city on January 13, the program targets residents aged 70 or older who have maintained their registered address in Gongju for at least one year and currently hold a valid driver’s license. The policy differentiates benefits by age group. Residents aged 70 to 74 are eligible to receive ₩300,000 per year, with cumulative support capped at ₩1.5 million if they continue to meet the conditions annually. Those aged 75 and above can receive a one-time payment of ₩300,000, provided as local currency.

Details displayed in the city’s official promotional materials further clarify the process. Applicants must visit their local eup, myeon, or dong administrative welfare center, or the Gongju City Transportation Department, submit an application, and return their driver’s license as part of the procedure.

City officials explained that the initiative is designed to balance two goals: improving road safety while still supporting the mobility needs of older residents. By offering transportation assistance rather than imposing restrictions, the city aims to encourage voluntary participation rather than mandatory measures.

The program reflects a broader trend across South Korea, where local governments are experimenting with incentive-based policies to address the rising number of traffic accidents involving elderly drivers in an aging society.