It is important to register your vehicle upon purchase. The car manufacturer, dealer, etc., are required by law to register vehicles at the purchaser’s request. Driving a brand new vehicle without registration can result in a sentence of up to 2 years or a fine of up to 5,000,000won.
Legal Basis
Article 8 of the Law of Vehicle Administration, Article 18 from the Statute of Vehicle Registration, and Article 27 from the Regulation of Vehicle Registration
Information and Administration Office
Si/Do or Si/Gun/Gu (City/Province or City/Township/District)
Required Documents for Registration of New or Imported Vehicle
- Certified copy of Alien Registration Card and passport
- Application for registration
- One vehicle certificate (for new vehicle)
- One import declaration document or import certificate (for imported vehicle)
- Proof of permission to drive the vehicle temporarily and temporary tag number (for those whogetpermission todrive)
- One ownership certificate (for those who cannot prove ownership with document 3 or 4)
- Certificate of safety test (for safety tested vehicle)
Required Documents for Re-Registration
- Same documents as above, 1~7
- One certificate of cancellation
- One certificate of new automobile test
Purchasing a used vehicle
Vehicle Registration Transfer
If you purchase a used vehicle from a car dealer, most of the time the dealer applies for the registration for you. However, you can do it yourself. If you don’t apply for a registration transfer, then the previous owner can do the job. You must register your used vehicle within a specified period of time (15 days for purchase, 20 days for donation, 3 months for inheritance) or you can be fined up to 500,000 won.
Legal Basis
Paragraph 1 of Article 12 of the Law of Vehicle Administration, Paragraph 1 of Article 27 of the Statute of Vehicle Registration, and Paragraph 1 of Article 33 fromtheRegulationofVehicleRegistration
Information and Administration Office
Si/Do or Si/Gun/Gu (City/Province or City/Township/ District)
Required Documents for Registration Transfer of Used Vehicle
- One certificate of used vehicle transfer (for purchase)
- Certificate of seal impression and legal seal from previous owner. (For purchases only, you should write down that the usage of the certificate is for delivery reasons, and provide your name and resident registration number.) If you satisfy the conditions described below, you won’t need them.
● If a car dealer or car auction owner made a deal or acted on a recommendation
● If the transferrer and the transferee make a direct deal, and the transferrer confirms at the Gu (District) office that the car has been transferred personally
- Onecertificateofpresentation(fordonation)
- One car registration (except when the previous owner applied for it for you)
Cars imported as part of moving cargo:
Foreigners entering Korea with the intent to reside for at least a year, or those accompanying a familymember and planning a stay for at least 6 months are eligible.
● Must be recognized by customs as part of the moving cargo
● The vehicle must be a small- to medium–sized vehicle. Small vehicles and sedans are ideal, and trucks, mobile homes and other vehicles exceeding passenger space for ten are prohibited from importation.
● Vehicles must have been used for at least three months prior to departure date.
● Registered under the applicant’s own name. Must provide vehicle registration and insurance documents as proof.
● Taxes and Tariffs: 2,000 cc or more (34.24%), 800 cc – 2,000 cc (26.52%), 800 cc or less (18.8%).
● For vehicle and emission inspection information, visit the Korea Transportation Safety Authority. www.kotsa.or.kr/Telephone : 1577-0990
● For more information on gas and noise emission. Visit theNational Institute of Environmental http://tprc.nier.go.kr
Telephone : 032-560-7653
Change of address
A change of address requires an application by you to alter your registration. Thosewho fail to register their new address within 15 days of their move (which starts from the day of the move) will be fined up to 300,000 won. If the registered address of the automobile owner is also the base location for use of the automobile, a registration of change in the base location of use can be substituted with a report of changes to the owner’s place of sojourn.
Change of Address
Article 11 of the Law of Vehicle Administration, Paragraph 1 of Article 22 from the Statute of Vehicle Registration Article, and Paragraph 1 of Article 29 from the Regulation of Vehicle Registration
Information and Administration Office
Si/Do or Si/Gun/Gu (City/Province or City/Township/ District)
Required Documents
- Copyof car registration
- One document (if the car is kept for business, then youwill need a certificate regarding the changes of the business, according to the laws of the Vehicle Transportation Service) to certify the purposes of addressalteration (contents ofchangedaddress).
- Two registration number plates (for changes of registration number)
Automobile insurance
All foreigners, including citizens, military, diplomats and consulates and foreign corporations can be insured. There are quite a few auto insurance
Automobile test All drivers are required by law to take their vehicles in for regular checkups. After registering your vehicle, you will receive a notice in the mail requesting a checkup. It is recommended that you stay aware of the validity term. The penalty fine starts to accumulate 30 days after your initial 30–day period. 20,000 won will be charged after the registration date. From that point on, an additional 10,000 won will be charged every three days. The maximum penalty is 300,000 won. In certain circumstances such as long-term repair requirements due to car accidents, etc., you can apply for deferment of the test. Regular automobile tests can be taken at test locations from authorized private repair centers.
Disposal
Vehicles can be disposed of at any auto junkyard. It is not a difficult process and should not cost you to get this done. In fact, the junkyard will pay you for themetal parts.
Required documents
- Certificate of vehicle registration
- A copy of the vehicle’s original registration issued within the last three days
- A certificate of ownership with the owner’s seal impression
- You must also present your alien registration card
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Rental Cars
Although you may have a license, some of you might not want to purchase a vehicle in Korea. You still might want to make good use of your license to travel around Korea or to make business trips. Most car rental companies offer rentals to foreigners with a proper driver’s licens- 89 Living in Seoul
es. However, there are a few restrictions.
1. Driversmust be over 21 years of age
2. Must have more than 1 year’s driving experience
3. Must be a holder of a valid driver’s license (Korean or International)
4. For international driver’s license holders, must poses a valid passport
If you meet the above requirements, there are a couple of major car rental companies with Englishwebsites.
Driving in Seoul can be difficult as there are a lot of aggressive drivers out there. You should, without a doubt, obtain auto insurance to avoid complications. In case of an accident, you can start by contacting your insurance company for help. The English-speaking employee will be able to provide fast and efficient service to ease your worries. If you need translation or further assistance, you can try BBB (Before Babel Brigade) at 1588-5644. It’s a toll-free number that provides translations in 17 languages. When something unexpected happens and you’re suddenly forced to communicate in a language other than your mother tongue, you might feel the urge to reach out for some help.
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Driving in Seoul
International driver`s license Korea is a party to an agreement of the Geneva Conventions. As such, Korea recognizes international licenses from other nations under agreement of the Geneva Conventions. Since January of 2002, international license from the following nations mentioned in the tip box are valid. The countries listed in the Tip Box are under agreement of the Vienna Convention.
International licenses are valid during the term of validity. The term of validity is limited to one year and upon expiration, the international license cannot be renewed but instead must be converted to a Korean license.
● Nations under agreement of the Geneva Conventions
Asia, Oceania
(18)
ustralia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan
Americas
(15)
Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Paraguay, Republic of Dominica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, U.S.A., Venezuela
Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Central African Republic, Senegal, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d`Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Kingdom of Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, Republic of South Africa, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Sierra Leone, Niger, Uganda, Zimbabwe
● Nations under agreement of the Vienna Convention
Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Cote d`Ivoire, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Republic of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Tunisia
Exchanging foreign license
Foreigners with a driver`s license may exchange their license for a Korean license. There are a few requirements for foreigners to apply for their Korean license.
First, you must be a resident in Korea. Those with a visitor`s visa or without a proper residence card cannot apply for a license. Second, you must provide a full license. Those with temporary, provisional, probationary, permit, certificate or motorcycle license cannot exchange it for a Korean license. Those without a proper license must go through the process of applying for a new license in Korea. Lastly, those with licenses issued from a country other than their home country must provide proof of residency in that country for 90 days ormore. You must prepare the following documents to apply for your Korean license.
① Applicants must hand in their foreign driver`s license before being issued a Korean license in exchange.
When it`s time for you to leave Korea, you can get your foreign driver`s license by showing your passport and airline ticket.
② Embassy certificate
③ Translated and notarized copy
④ Passport
⑤ Alien Registration Card or Domicile Registration Card
(*those without a egistration card must wait until they are issued one to proceed with their application for a driver`s license.)
⑥ Three photos (3 cm x 4 cm)
- Physical exam: 5,000 won
- License: 6,000 won
- Simple knowledge test (for those who have a domestic license which hasn`t been recognized): 6,000 Won
※Foreigners can exchange their driver`s license for a Korean one at Drivers` License Agency in Seoul Global Center (3rd floor, Press Center. Tel. 02-2075-4127)
● States Recognizing Domestic License (May 9, 2011 Notification from the National Police Agency)
Asia
(22)
Nepal, East Timor, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Cambodia, Thailand, Tonga, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taipei
Americas
(19)
Guyana, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, El Salvador, Uruguay, Chile, Canada, Costa Rica, Columbia, Panama, Barbados, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, [Maryland State(USA), Virginia State(USA)]
Europe
(38)
Georgia, Greece, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Russia, Rumania, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Moldova, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, San Marino, Serbia, Swiss, Spain, the Slovak Republic, Iceland, Ireland, Albania, Estonia, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Italy, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Croatia, Cyprus, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary, Austria, ※ Austria, For the holders of Korean driver`s license issued after 97.1.1 Austria exempt exams, treat Korean license as theirs.
Middle East (10)
Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan, Yemen, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait
Africa
(39)
Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Namibia, Nigeria, the Republic of South Africa, Niger, Liberia, Lesotho, Rwanda, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Botswana, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Swaziland, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Angola, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d`Ivoire, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Tunisia, Chad, Comoros
1. Not renewing an expired license for over 1 year
110 points
1-2. DUI (Alcohol level 0.05% or higher, less than 0.1%)
100 points
Criminal
prosecution
2. Prosecution from assaulting a police officer
90 points
2-2. Illegal parking (traffic obstruction by refusing organized or police officer`s movement order of 3 times)
40 points
Fine levied
2-3. Safe driving failure (dangerous driving or speed when refusing 40 points Fine levied organized or police officer`s order of 3 times)
2-4. Driving with disturbance within vehicle
3. Refusing to appear in the summary court past 60 days from the final notice of court appearance or from the expiration date to pay the fine, 40 points (Exempt from the point accumulation)
40 points (except accumulated points)
4. Crossing center divider line
30 points
Fine levied
4-2. Speed limit violation (40km/h over limit)
4-3. Railroad crossing violation
5. Driving on the shoulder of highway or bus designated/high oppupancy vehicle lane
6. Failure to present driver`s license
Fine levied
7. Signal violation
15 points
Fine levied
8. Speed limit violation (20km/h over 40km/h under limit)
9. No passing violation
10. Mobile phone usage while driving violation
10-2. Driving recorder non equipped vehicle operation violation
10-3. Children`s school bus driver`s duty violation
11. Passage violation (sidewalk or pedestrian crossing invading violation)
10 points
Fine levied
12. Lane changing violations (changing lanes on a no-change zone)
13. Bus only lane violation
14. Failure to secure safe distance (including lane change violations)
15. No passing zone violation
16. Pedestrian right-of-way violation (including stop line violation)
17. Passenger safety violation (getting in and out of vehicles)
18. Safe driving practice violations
19. Engaging in disputes or arguments on the road, interfering with surrounding traffic
19-2. School bus special protection violation
Penalty points from traffic accidents
Bodily damage
Per death
90 point
When the victim dies within 72 hours of the accident
Per serious injury
15 point
Injury that requires 3 weeks or longer of treatment
Per light injury
5 point
Injuries which need more than 5-day or less than 3-week treatment
Per injury
2 point
Injuries which need less than 5-day treatment
Failure to take the proper
procedures after causing an accident