As the importance of autonomous driving test drivers' expertise and situational awareness grows, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is providing training to test drivers.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it will conduct the first ‘Autonomous Driving Traffic Safety Training Course’ for autonomous vehicle test drivers (safety management personnel) on November 3rd to prevent safety accidents resulting from autonomous vehicle test runs.

A 'self-driving car test driver' refers to a person who checks the driving conditions and normal operation of a self-driving car inside and outside, and performs safety measures in emergency situations.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has been ensuring operational safety through the temporary operation permit safety requirements for autonomous vehicles, including designating test drivers for temporary operation entities and imposing management obligations for safe operation.

The number of autonomous vehicles with temporary operating permits for Level 4 or higher in 2022 has more than doubled from 127 in 2020 to 258, and the number of pilot operation zones has also more than doubled (to 14 locations), indicating a focus on improving the expertise and situational awareness of test drivers and strengthening the safety of autonomous driving.

The 'Autonomous Driving Traffic Safety Education Course' was designed to help autonomous vehicle test drivers develop the ability to respond to potential emergencies during autonomous driving based on a proper understanding of autonomous driving functions.

Additionally, the desired training subjects and content identified through interviews and surveys targeting autonomous driving industry professionals are included in the training program.
/> The educational content consisted of a total of 8 hours of programs including △autonomous vehicle technology and changes in future transportation, △friendly services for autonomous vehicle passengers, △understanding related laws such as the Road Traffic Act, △autonomous vehicle safe driving tips and accident analysis.

The main contents include driver compliance matters such as how to transfer control to a test driver in case of an emergency such as a malfunction during autonomous driving, and various measures to ensure the safety of autonomous driving services and increase user convenience, such as customer service training.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has been supporting autonomous driving service verification and technology development, including providing passenger transport services within the Sangam autonomous driving vehicle pilot operation zone in Seoul, in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. This year, the Ministry is working to expand autonomous driving services in Seoul by designating additional pilot operation zones in the Gangnam and Cheonggyecheon areas to allow autonomous driving services to operate.

Park Ji-hong, Director General of Automobile Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, emphasized, “As the number of autonomous vehicles is expected to continue to increase, it is important to enhance the safety awareness of test drivers as well as ensure vehicle safety.” He added, “Based on the results of this training, we will continue to plan the necessary training courses so that autonomous driving can be safely established in the daily lives of citizens, such as by expanding the implementation of autonomous driving-related training programs.”