Vehicle Registration & Cancellation
All car-related documents may vary slightly depending on individual situations or local authorities, in which case it is advisable to check with the organization to visit in advance to get the most accurate information.
1. New registration
A person who has purchased a motor vehicle shall file an application for a new motor vehicle registration. A motor vehicle manufacturer, seller, etc. may file an application for the new motor vehicle registration in lieu of the buyer. Any person who operates a motor vehicle without making a registration shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than two years, or by a fine not exceeding 20 million won.
- How to register
A person who intends to register a motor vehicle shall file application with the City Hall/ Provincial Office, the SI/Gun/Gu Office, or Vehicle Registration Office, or via the National Car Management Portal website (www.car365.go.kr [Korean]).
- Documents required
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Alien registration certificate and copy of passport
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Application for new motor vehicle registration
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Certificate of manufacturer of motor vehicle (only applicable to newly built motor vehicles)
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Temporary operation permit (if a temporary operation permit was obtained)
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Front and back temporary operation permit license plates (if a temporary operation permission was obtained)
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Certificate of insurance subscription (may not be submitted if electronically checked)
- Re-registration of a motor vehicle for which a cancellation of registration has been made
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Documents stated above, a certificate proving the cancellation of registration, and a new inspection certificate
2. Registration of transfer
The car dealer can proceed with the transfer registration instead if a used car is bought from the car dealer, in which case a registration application commission fee is charged (actual cost required for requesting the transfer registration). If the person who purchased a used car did not request change of registration, the seller of the car (owner listed in the car registration sheet when requesting a change of registration) can request a change of registration.
- Transfer registration period
Purchases - Within 15 days after date of purchase
Donations - Within 20 days after date of donation
Inheritance - Within sic months after the last day of the month that the date of the commencement of inheritance fails on
Other cases - Within 15 days
- How to register
A person who intends to register a motor vehicle shall file an application for the new motor vehicle registration with the City Hall/Provincial Office or the Si/Gun/Gu Office, or via the National Car Management Portal website (www.car365.go.kr [Korean]).
*Motor vehicle dealers shall file an application for registration of transfer in person at an office.
- Documents required (direct dealing between individuals)
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Mandatory insurance subscription certificate (may not be submitted if electronically checked)
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Car registration
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Information on driving distance
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Commission
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ID cards of the transferor and transferee (when visiting in person)
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If the transferor does not visit: Seal impression certificate for car sales or confirmation of personal signature for car sales, transfer certificate
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If the transferee does not visit: Agent's ID card, copy of transferee's ID card, transfer certificate, power of attorney
* Before paying the purchase price, check with transportation administration department of the city, country, and district offices having jurisdiction over the owner's address whether the car has been seized due to non-payment of taxes or fines
3. Registration for modification
- Registration procedure and period
A person who intends to register the modification of a motor vehicle shall file an application for the registration of modification with the City Hall/Provincial Office or the Si/Gun/Gu Office, or via the National Car Management Portal website (www.car365.go.kr [Korean]).
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Within 60 days from the date on which such grounds occur
- Documents required
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Application for registration of modification
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Original copy of car registration
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Front and back operation permit license plates (2 plates)
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Owner : ID / Authorized representative: Power of attorney (with owner's seal) and a copy of the owner's ID
4. Motor vehicles brought from abroad as part of freight for moving
Any foreigner who intends to enter the Republic of Korea to stay for at least one year, or who intends to enter the Republic of Korea to stay with his/her family for six or more months may bring his/her motor vehicles as part of freight for moving.
- Recognition criteria and method
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Cars accepted as moving supplies: 1 car per household, 10 passengers or less, name of mover, used for at least 3 months (from the date of entering Korea)
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Only Korean cars manufactured or exported by Korea are eligible for tax exemption
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Car registration (including temporary registration), ownership certificate, domestic car insurance subscription documents, etc, must be submitted.
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Related information can be checked on the Korea Customs Service website (www.customs.go.kr/kcs/ad/cntnts/cntntsView.do?cntntsld=8455&mi=8455)
5. Motor vehicle insurance
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If a foreigner intends to own and operate a motor vehicle in the Republic of Korea, he/she shall purchase an insurance policy.
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Any person who fails to purchase a mandatory insurance policy shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding three million won in accordance with the Compulsory Motor Vehicle Liability Security Act.
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Any person who operates a motor vehicle with no mandatory insurance shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding 10 million won in accordance with the Compulsory Motor Vehicle Liability Security Act.
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Visit the General Insurance Association of Korea website (https://kpub.knia.or.kr/main.do [Korean]) to obtain the compare information on motor vehicle insurance policy types, premiums, and discount/sub-charge rates.
6. Regular inspection of motor vehicles
All motor vehicles considered in use shall undergo a regular inspection in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Management Act.
- Inspection intervals and administrative fines
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Passenger vehicles: From the fourth year of the initial registration date of the motor vehicle, a regular inspection shall be performed every two year. (Varies depending on the type of motor vehicle)
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Inspection period: Within 31 days before and after the expiry date of regular inspection
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Administrative fines: If the motor vehicle owner does not receive an inspection within the inspection period, he/she may face an administrative fine.
* If the expiry date passes, a fine of 40,000 won within 30 days with an additional 20,000 won every 3 days beyond 30 days and within 114 days, and 600,000 won beyond 115 days is imposed
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If a person cannot complete a regular inspection within the inspection period, he/she may apply for an extension. Motor vehicle inspection station
7. Vehicle scrapping
Car scrapping must be carried out at authorized junkyards listed in the government office, and the car scrapping receipt certificate must be issued when scrapping the car. By requesting car scrapping and car registration cancellation to the district junkyard, proper processes can be quickly and accurately processed in a one-stop process. If car scrapping is requested to an unlisted company, issues such as automobile tax delinquency and liability insurance fine may arise because the car scrapping certificate cannot be issued and car registration cancellation cannot be processed.
- Documents required
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Car registration
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ID card (alien registration card, etc.)
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Seal certificate (required only for car owner agents)