1. Driver's license
1) Obtaining a new driver's license
Korean domestic driver's licenses are largely divided into Type 1 and Type 2, and the types of vehicles you can drive differ depending on the type of license. To obtain a driver's license, you must pass all three tests: a written test, a skills test, and a road test.
By license type
Class 1 driver's license (large, regular, small, special), Class 2 driver's license (regular, small, motorized bicycle)
Traffic Safety Education
Target audience: People who want to obtain a driver's license
Class time: 1 hour before departmental exam
Education content: Audiovisual education
Required Documents: Free of charge, identification (resident registration card, passport, alien registration card, etc.)
Physical examination
Location: Physical examination room or hospital within the testing center
charge
Physical examination room in the examination room: 7,000 won for Class 1 large/special licenses, 6,000 won for other licenses
Hospital: Fees vary by hospital
Departmental Exam
Required documents: Application form, 3 color photos (3.5×4.5cm (3×4cm is acceptable)) taken within the past 6 months, ID card (Resident Registration Card, Passport, Alien Registration Card, etc.)
Fee: 1st and 2nd class regular 10,000 won, motor 8,000 won, 2nd class small 10,000 won
Test content: 40 questions from the published academic exam question bank, including traffic laws necessary for safe driving
Languages available: Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese
Results Announcement: Scores and pass/fail results are displayed on the computer monitor immediately after the test ends.
Function reception
Required documents: Application form, identification card (resident registration card, passport, alien registration card, etc.)
When applying through a proxy, attach the proxy's ID and the proxy's power of attorney.
Fee: 1st and 2nd class regular 25,000 won, large/special 25,000 won, 2nd class small 14,000 won, motor 10,000 won
Issuance of learner's license
A learner's permit is a license that allows you to practice driving on the road and is valid for one year.
Fee: 4,000 won
Road driving reception
As a learner's driver's license holder, you will be assigned a test date and time to take the road test.
Required documents: Application form (with learner's license attached), identification card (resident registration card, passport, alien registration card, etc.)
When applying through a proxy, additionally attach the proxy's ID and power of attorney. •Fees: 30,000 won for road driving
Fee: 30,000 won for road driving
Driving school
At Korean driving schools, you can take classes to prepare for the skills test and road test.
When a license test taker passes the written, skills, and road tests, the license test center issues a license.
Driver's License Examination Center
There are four driver's license examination centers in Seoul: Gangnam, Gangseo, Dobong, and Seobu.
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Tip. Driver's license class for foreigners
National Police Agency: We are conducting foreign driver's license classes for immigrant women and foreign workers. In Seoul, there are 17 police stations in total, including Jongno, Seodaemun, Seongbuk, Jungnang, Geumcheon, Gangnam, Gangdong, Mapo, Yeongdeungpo, Gwanak, Gangseo, Songpa, Dobong, Guro, Nowon, Jongam, and Suseo. For more information, please contact each police station.
2) International driving license
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Korea is a member of the Geneva Convention and recognizes international driving permits issued by countries that are members of the Geneva Convention. In addition, since January 2002, international driving permits issued by countries that are members of the Vienna Convention have been allowed to drive in Korea. International driving permits issued by the country of a foreign resident are valid for the period stated on the permit, and the period of validity is up to one year from the date of entry. Renewal in Korea is not possible upon expiration.
Countries Recognizing International Driving Permits www.safedriving.or.kr/guide/larGuide051.do?menuCode=MN-PO-1215
Exchange foreign license for domestic license
Foreigners holding a driver's license issued by a country that recognizes international driver's licenses can obtain a Korean driver's license by simply undergoing a physical examination.
According to Article 84 of the Road Traffic Act, when exchanging a foreign driver's license for a Korean driver's license, the foreign driver's license must be returned.
A returned driver's license can be returned in cases of overseas travel, cancellation of domestic license by the driver, or request for sending to a diplomatic mission. If not picked up within 10 years from the date of exchange, it will be destroyed. • Foreigners with a driver's license issued in a country that does not recognize Korean driver's licenses must take a written test and physical examination.
The written test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and can be taken in Korean, English, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
Documents required for driver's license exchange
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Scope of countries that recognize domestic driver's license www.safedriving.or.kr/guide/larGuide031.do?menuCode=MN-PO-1213
3) Penalty points for violation of laws
Drive
※ This content was written with reference to the publication ‘Seoul Living Guide for Foreigners, Korean Edition’ published by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
3. Vehicle registration and cancellation
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Tip. All documents related to automobiles may differ slightly depending on individual circumstances and local governments, so it is best to check directly with the institution you plan to visit in advance.
1) New registration
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After purchasing a car, you must register it again. The car manufacturer or seller can also register it for you. If you drive a car without registering it, you will be subject to imprisonment for up to 2 years or a fine of up to 20 million won.
How to apply
Apply in person at the city/province or city/county/district office or vehicle registration office, or on the National Automobile Civil Complaints Portal website (www.car365.go.kr [Han])
Required documents
Alien registration card and passport copy •Application for new vehicle registration •Vehicle production certificate (only for new vehicles) •Temporary driving permit (if temporary driving permit has been obtained) •Temporary driving permit license plate front and back (if temporary driving permit has been obtained) •Insurance certificate (not submitted when computerized)
Re-registration of deregistered vehicles
Same as the above documents, 1 copy of certificate of cancellation, new inspection certificate
2) Previous registration
If you purchase a used car from a car dealer, the car dealer can transfer registration on your behalf. However, if the car dealer transfers registration, you must pay a registration application agency fee (actual cost for transfer application agency). If the person who purchased the used car does not apply for transfer registration, the person who sold the car (the owner listed in the car registration book at the time of transfer registration application) can apply for transfer registration.
Transfer registration period for assignee
How to apply
Apply in person at the city/province or city/county/district office or on the National Automobile Complaints Portal website (www.car365.go.kr [Korean]) (Dealers can only apply in person)
Required documents (direct sales between individuals)
Proof of compulsory insurance (not submitted when computerized)
Vehicle registration certificate
Mileage information
charge
Transferor and transferee identification (when visiting in person)
When the transferor does not visit: Certificate of seal for car sale or certificate of signature for car sale, transfer certificate
When the transferee does not visit: Agent ID, copy of transferee ID, transfer certificate, power of attorney (Before paying the purchase price, check with the traffic administration department of the city/county/district office in charge of the owner's address whether the vehicle in question has been seized due to non-payment of taxes or fines)
3) Change registration
Application method and period
Apply in person at the city/province or city/county/district office or on the National Automobile Complaint Portal website (www.car365.go.kr [Han])
Within 60 days from the date of occurrence of the reason for change registration
Required documents
Application for vehicle change registration
Original vehicle registration certificate
Car registration plate front and back (2)
Application by the applicant: ID card / Application by proxy: Power of attorney (with the owner’s seal), copy of the owner’s ID card
4) Automobiles imported from foreign countries as part of moving goods
Foreigners entering the country with the intention of residing in Korea for at least one year or with their family for at least six months may bring a car as part of their moving belongings.
Recognition criteria and methods
Conditions for recognizing a moving vehicle: 1 vehicle per household, 10 seats or less, in the name of the mover, used for at least 3 months (until the date of entry)
Only domestically manufactured and exported automobiles are eligible for tax exemption.
You must submit your vehicle registration certificate (including temporary registration certificate), proof of ownership, and domestic vehicle insurance subscription documents.
Related information can be found at the Korea Customs Service (www.customs.go.kr/kcs/ad/cntnts/cntntsView.do?cntntsId=8455&mi=8455).
5) Car insurance
If you want to own and drive a car in Korea, you must have insurance.
If you do not subscribe to compulsory insurance, you will be subject to a fine of up to 3 million won according to the Automobile Damage Compensation Security Act.
If you drive a car without compulsory insurance, you will be subject to imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won under the Automobile Damage Compensation Security Act.
Detailed information on types of automobile insurance products, automobile insurance premium comparison, and discount/surcharge rates can be found at the Non-Life Insurance Association Public Notice Center (kpub.knia.or.kr [Han]).
6) Regular vehicle inspection
All vehicles in operation must undergo regular inspections in accordance with the Automobile Management Act.
Periodic inspection method
Passenger vehicles: Periodic inspections are conducted once every two years, starting from the 4th year from the date of initial registration of the vehicle (varies by vehicle type)
Inspection period: Within 31 days before and after the expiration date of the regular inspection • Late fee: If you do not receive an inspection within the inspection period, a late fee will be imposed (KRW 40,000 within 30 days after the expiration date, KRW 20,000 for every 3 days after 30 days but within 114 days, KRW 600,000 for 115 days or more)
If you are unable to receive a regular inspection within the given period, you can apply for an extension of the period.
7) Scrap car disposal
Scrapping must be done at a licensed scrapyard registered with the government, and a scrapping certificate must be issued when scrapping. If you request a licensed scrapyard to handle everything from scrapping to deregistration, you can quickly and accurately process the deregistration through a one-stop process. If you request scrapping to an unregistered company, not only will you not be able to receive a scrapping certificate, but the car registration will not be deregistered, which can lead to problems such as unpaid car tax and liability insurance surcharges.
Required documents
Vehicle registration certificate
Identification card (alien registration card, etc.)
Seal certificate (required only when acting as a proxy for the borrower)
2. Traffic accident
1) Actions to take in case of a traffic accident
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In the event of a traffic accident, the driver and passengers must immediately stop the vehicle, take steps to aid the casualties, and report the incident to the nearest police station or police box.
Report contents
Where the accident happened
Number of casualties and extent of injuries
Damaged items/extent of damage
Other Measures
Prohibition of actions or interference in case of accident
In the event of a traffic accident, vehicle passengers must not interfere with the actions or reports taken by the driver, etc.
Victims must be courteous to one another on moral grounds, regardless of whether legal procedures are being taken to resolve the accident.
If you witness an accident and then flee, you must rescue the injured person and report the characteristics of the accident, such as the number and color of the fleeing vehicle, to 112.
Smoking or discarding matches is prohibited at the accident scene as there may be gasoline spills or flammable hazardous materials in the cargo.
2) Traffic accident penalty points
3) Bicycle accident
In Korea, bicycles are treated as 'vehicles', so bicycle drivers must comply with traffic laws according to the 'Road Traffic Act' and make efforts to use bicycles safely.
If an accident occurs while riding a bicycle, take the same measures as if you were in a car accident.
However, in the case of a bicycle-to-bicycle accident, if it is clear that no one is injured and only the bicycle is damaged, and if necessary measures are taken to prevent danger and ensure smooth communication on the road, there is no need to report it to the police.
Anyone who fails to report the situation when an accident occurs is subject to a fine of up to 300,000 won or imprisonment.
4. Rental cars and car sharing
1) Rental car
Rent-a-car is a service that rents cars to drivers with a driver's license. Most Korean rental car companies rent cars to foreigners who meet the following criteria.
Rental car rental criteria
Drivers aged 21 or older with at least 1 year of driving experience
Holder of a valid driver's license (Korean/international)
Licenses exchanged from foreign driver's licenses to Korean driver's licenses are exempt from the 1-year provision after issuance (for vehicles with 9 or fewer seats)
rental car company
2) Car sharing
Car sharing is one way to rent a car. However, it is different from a rental car in terms of operation.
How it works
Unlike rental cars, they are only available to members.
Rental car contracts are usually made on a daily basis and hourly rates are charged only for returns. On the other hand, car sharing charges by the hour or minute, making it convenient when you want to use a car for a short period of time.
Car sharing company
5. Motorcycle
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Motorcycles are cheaper than cars and are easy to drive on the congested roads of Seoul. For commercial purposes, motorcycles are mainly used for courier services, quick service, and restaurant delivery, and many drivers also use them for commuting to and from school or work. It is known that most motorcycle drivers ride motorcycles because of their economy and convenience.
1) Obtaining a license
2) Registration and Insurance
Motorcycle registration: You can register at the traffic administration office of your local district office. You must submit your alien registration card, motorcycle production certificate, and insurance certificate.
Insurance: Just like with cars, if you own and operate a motorcycle, you must have insurance.