Driving in Korea means you may run into situations such as mandatory vehicle inspections, unpaid toll charges, or traffic violations. This guide explains how to handle each of those situations in a straightforward way. Figures and deadlines are subject to change, so please always confirm the latest information with the Immigration Contact Center 1345 (the dedicated helpline for foreigners in Korea) or your local Korea Immigration Service office before taking action.
Check These Things Before You Drive
- Penalty points management: If your driving penalty points exceed 40, your license will be suspended. Try to drive carefully so points do not accumulate.
- Dashcam installation: Having footage of what happened in an accident can be very helpful. Some insurers also offer premium discounts for vehicles fitted with a dashcam.
- Windshield contact number: Leave your mobile number visible on the windshield in case you block another vehicle while parked or someone needs to reach you urgently.
Vehicle Registration Certificate and Inspections
What Is a Vehicle Registration Certificate?
A vehicle registration certificate is the official document issued when you purchase a car. It contains the owner’s name, vehicle type, and license plate information. Importantly, the inspection validity period is printed on this certificate, so check it carefully to know when your next inspection is due.
What If You Lose the Certificate?
You can get a replacement online or by visiting a government office.
- Online: Visit the Vehicle Affairs Public Portal (ecar.go.kr) and apply for a reissue. You will need your alien registration number and a joint certificate (공동인증서). The fee is 600 won.
- In person: Visit your nearest city hall, county office, district office, or community service center (주민센터).
Only the registered owner of the vehicle may apply for a replacement certificate.
Mandatory Vehicle Inspection
All vehicles must be inspected regularly to ensure they are safe to drive.
Amendments to the Enforcement Rules of the Automobile Management Act that took effect in 2025 changed two key things. The applicable rules may differ depending on when your vehicle was registered, so please confirm the latest details at Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Car365 or by calling 1345 before your inspection is due.
- First inspection: Non-commercial passenger cars newly registered from 2025 onward must have their first inspection 5 years after registration. Vehicles registered before 2025 follow the original rule of 4 years.
- Subsequent cycle: After the first inspection, the vehicle must be inspected every 2 years.
- Allowable inspection window: You may have your inspection done from 90 days before to 31 days after the expiry date on your certificate. This is a significant expansion from the previous window of 31 days either side.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Vehicle Inspected
- 1. Check your inspection expiry date
Look at your vehicle registration certificate, or look it up on Car365 or the Cyber Inspection Center.
- 2. Book an appointment
Make a reservation at Korea Transportation Safety Authority Cyber Inspection Center (cyberts.kr), or through the Naver or KakaoT app. Public inspection stations operate on a fully reservation-based system.
- 3. Visit the inspection station
Drive your vehicle to the station on the day of your appointment. You do not need to bring a paper copy of your vehicle registration certificate.
- 4. Complete the inspection
Your vehicle will undergo a safety check and an exhaust emissions test. If it passes, a new validity period is issued.
- 5. Re-inspection if you fail
If your vehicle does not pass, repair the flagged issues and return for a re-inspection. If you do not complete the re-inspection, your vehicle will be treated as uninspected and a fine may be imposed.
Late Inspections Result in Fines
If you do not have your vehicle inspected before the end of the allowable window (31 days after the expiry date), a fine is imposed based on how many days overdue you are.
| Time elapsed | Fine |
|---|---|
| Within 30 days after expiry | 40,000 won |
| From the 31st day onward, per additional 3 days | 20,000 won added |
| Maximum | 600,000 won |
In addition, if a vehicle goes uninspected for more than one year, it may be subject to a driving suspension order. Fine amounts are subject to change; please verify the latest figures at Car365 or by calling 1345.
Finding a Nearby Inspection Station
You can search for your nearest inspection station and book directly at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority Cyber Inspection Center (cyberts.kr). You can also search for “자동차 검사소” (vehicle inspection station) in map apps such as Naver Maps, KakaoMap, or KakaoT.
If your vehicle fails the inspection, repair the flagged items and return for a re-inspection. Failing to do so will result in your vehicle being treated as uninspected, and a fine may be imposed.
If You Pass Through a Tollgate or Tunnel Without Paying
It is possible to accidentally pass through a Hi-Pass (하이패스) dedicated lane without a transponder, or to miss paying a toll for other reasons. Unpaid tolls that are left for a long time can attract additional fines, so deal with any notice you receive promptly.
How to Check and Pay Unpaid Tolls
- Postal notice: A payment notice is sent to the address where your vehicle is registered. You can pay the amount shown at a bank or by bank transfer.
- Online payment: Check and pay unpaid tolls directly at the HiPass website.
- Korea Expressway Corporation EX: You can also check and pay at the Korea Expressway Corporation website (ex.co.kr) or through the EX app.
The longer you wait to pay, the more additional fines may be added, so act quickly when you receive a notice. For questions about payment, call the Korea Expressway Corporation customer center at 1588-2504.
Real-Time Traffic and Weather Information
Checking road conditions and weather before you set off makes for a safer and more comfortable journey.
Traffic Information
- Online
- National Transport Information Center: Provides real-time traffic conditions on expressways and national highways across the country.
- Roadplus: A dedicated expressway traffic information site.
- Radio (Korean): TBN Korea Traffic Broadcasting provides live traffic updates. Check your regional frequency at the TBN website.
Weather Information
- Radio: Weather forecasts are broadcast at 58 minutes past every hour on KBS 1 Radio (97.3 MHz, Korean).
- Online: Visit the Korea Meteorological Administration’s Weather Nuri (weather.go.kr), or use the weather services on Naver or Kakao.
Checking for Traffic Violations and Paying Fines
If you are wondering whether you were caught by a speed camera or committed a traffic violation, here is how to find out.
Check and Pay Online
You can look up unpaid fines and penalty notices and pay them online at National Police Agency Traffic Civil Services 24 — eFine.
- What you need: your resident registration number (or alien registration number) and a financial certificate or joint certificate.
If you hold an alien registration card, you can log in with your alien registration number to check and pay. If you find the online process difficult, use one of the offline methods below.
Check and Pay Offline
If the online process is not available to you, try these options:
- Visit the traffic civil affairs desk at a nearby police station or police box (지구대).
- Call the 182 helpline (paid call, Korean only).
Do Not Miss Postal Notices
When a fine or penalty notice is issued, it is sent to the address registered for your vehicle. If your address is not correctly registered, you may miss the notice, let the deadline pass, and end up paying a larger amount. If you have moved, make sure to update your address at the relevant government office. Foreigners can submit a change-of-address notification online through HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr). For step-by-step guidance, see How to Change Your Address (Place of Residence) Online via HiKorea.
Repeated or serious violations can result in your driving license being suspended or revoked.
Reference Links
| Organization | Link |
|---|---|
| Korea Road Traffic Authority — Safe Driving Integrated Civil Services | safedriving.or.kr |
| Ministry of Government Legislation — Easy Law (Vehicle Inspection) | easylaw.go.kr |
| Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport — Car365 | car365.go.kr |
| Vehicle Affairs Public Portal (registration certificate reissue) | ecar.go.kr |
| Korea Transportation Safety Authority Cyber Inspection Center (inspection booking) | cyberts.kr |
| National Police Agency Traffic Civil Services 24 — eFine | efine.go.kr |
| National Transport Information Center | its.go.kr |
| HiPass — unpaid toll inquiry and payment | hipass.co.kr |
| Korea Expressway Corporation EX | ex.co.kr |
| Korea Meteorological Administration — Weather Nuri | weather.go.kr |
| TBN Korea Traffic Broadcasting (frequency guide) | tbn.or.kr |
| HiKorea (address change notification and more) | hikorea.go.kr |