Driving Test Rush

[Anchor Lead]

The state-administered driver's license test is said to get tougher starting from Thursday. Driving schools and test offices have been packed with those who want to obtain their driver's license before the change.

[Soundbite] "Congratulations! You have passed."

[Pkg]

This is a driver's license test site in Seoul. The waiting room is crowded with test takers during the daytime on a weekday. They are here in the hopes of obtaining a driver's license before the test becomes tougher.

[Soundbite] Shim Se-hoon(Test Taker) : "I was really gratified when I heard the announcement, "You have passed," since the test will become tougher around December 22."

A demanding and difficult course has returned to a newly renovated driving test site.

[Soundbite] Driving Instructor : "Test takers will find the T-shaped course most difficult. The width has been reduced by 15 centimeters on each side this time."

A slope, which test takers used to find the toughest, has been re-introduced. In addition, five new courses, including an intersection and an acceleration course will be part of the test. The distance has become six times longer than the previous 50 meters. Five more standards for disqualification have been added, including driving under the influence of alcohol and drug and traffic signal violations. These measures are designed to lower the rate of traffic accidents, which have surged since the driver's license test became easier.

[Soundbite] Cho Woo-jong(National Police Agency) : "The traffic accident rate was higher among owners of preliminary drivers' licenses.The test has been improved in order to prevent traffic accidents."

Starting next week, police will crack down on illegal driving lessons, which are predicted to increase in response to the tougher test.