Senator Portantino’s Korean Driver’s License Passes Key Policy Committee

Sacramento, California – Today, the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing voted to pass SB 1360. The bill,  authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino, D – La Cañada Flintridge, allows a person with a driver’s license from the Republic of Korea to be exempt from specific testing requirements when applying for a California driver’s license.

“South Korea is interested in partnering with California in a variety of ways.  In order to help facilitate that partnership, one of the biggest confusions South Koreans have when coming to California surround the requirements they must meet in order to drive,” commented Senator Portantino.

Senator Portantino invited Deputy Consul General In-Sang Hwang from the Republic of Korea to Sacramento to speak on behalf of the SB1360. General In-Sang Hwang gave his insights about the relationship between California and South Korea and the benefits of this bill.

“On behalf of the Korean government and the Korean people, I want to thank Senator Portantino for the opportunity to speak the benefit of this program for both South Korea and the State of California. As you know very well, South Korea and the State of California have maintained significantly close ties in trade, investment, and exchange of people and I strongly believe that this program will greatly benefit both South Korea and the State of California.” commented Deputy Consul General In-Sang Hwang from the Republic of Korea.

California is a key trading partner with South Korea and is home to a large population of Korean business leaders.  Our two economies are strongly linked.  Helping business leaders have the ability to navigate our Department of Motor Vehicles is good for the California economy and helps facilitate business and ease logistical issues.

“I believe SB 1360 will encourage friendship and cooperation between California and a key trading partner.  It will promote investment and esprit de corps.  Moreover, the bill will reduce time and resources that the DMV has to utilizes as this bill will make the process of applying for a driver license faster and easier.” concluded Senator Portantino.

SB 1360 is supported by the Consulate General of The Republic of Korea Los Angeles, Global Children Foundation Los Angeles, Inland Korean American Association, Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, The Korean American Federation of Orange County, Korean American History Museum, Korean American Youth Association, Korean Investors & Traders Association, Korean Air, Korean American Community of San Francisco & Bay Area, Korean American Educational Research Center, Korean American Garment Industry Association, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, The National Unification Advisory Council Orange San Diego Chapter, The National Unification Advisory Council Los Angeles Chapter, South Bay KO-AM Senior Center, Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, Korean American Federation of North Los Angeles, Koreatown Senior and Community Center, and the Los Angeles World OKTA.

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