30-min break rule obligated after 4 hours of driving bus or truck

30-min break rule obligated after 4 hours of driving bus or truck. July. 28, 2016 07:26. by 구가인기자 comedy9@donga.com.

Bus and truck drivers must take a break for 30 minutes or longer after driving for four consecutive hours. Drivers whose driver's license is revoked due to heavy drinking cannot take commercial driver examinations for two years.

The Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport announced the new rule, called "commercial vehicles safety reinforcement," at a meeting of ministers related to safety held by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. The government decided to implement this new rule after the five-car collision on the Yeongdong Expressway caused by a sleepy bus driver on July 17.

The government will apply this rule to all commercial vehicles as soon as possible even before a similar bill passes the parliament. The ministry, however, will not push forward the rule to limit vehicle service hours per day due to possible backlash from transportation companies but review the rule after further discussions.

This measure also reinforces qualifications of commercial vehicle drivers. No one whose driver's license is cancelled due to driving under the influence can apply for commercial driver examination for two years. The previous law was that regardless of license suspension or revocation, the exam was only unavailable to those who drove under the influence more than three times. The government will also increase the penalty for driving buses in a row from the current five days to 30 days as that can cause big accidents.

The government will also make it obligation for transportation companies to check if their drivers are drunk or working two straight nights before they get on their vehicle. Additionally from next year, vehicle makers must equip special devices to prevent drowsy driving such as the Lane Departure Warning System in all new buses above the 45-passenger size and trucks weighing over 2 tons.