Unexpected situations can arise when driving in Korea. This guide walks you through what to do in each scenario you might actually face: a vehicle breakdown, a traffic accident, running out of fuel, a suspended or revoked license, and disposing of your vehicle. Figures and deadlines are subject to change, so please confirm the latest information with the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or your local Korea Immigration Service office before taking action.

Quick Overview of Steps

  1. 1. Pull Over Safely

    Move your vehicle to a safe location on the shoulder or off the road.

  2. 2. Turn on Hazard Lights and Open the Trunk

    Switch on your hazard lights and open the trunk to alert other drivers to the situation.

  3. 3. Evacuate Passengers

    Have everyone get out of the vehicle and move to a safe spot, such as behind a guardrail.

  4. 4. Set Up a Warning Triangle

    Place a warning triangle 100 to 200 meters behind your vehicle.

  5. 5. Report and Request a Tow

    Call 112 to report the situation, then contact your insurer or the Korea Expressway Corporation at 1588-2504.

When Your Vehicle Breaks Down

The very first thing to do is move your vehicle somewhere safe so it does not block the flow of traffic.

Step 1: Pull over safely

  • If at all possible, move your vehicle completely off the road to a safe location such as a rest stop, parking lot, or rest area.
  • If you cannot move far, pull as far onto the shoulder or edge of the road as you can.

Step 2: Make your vehicle visible

  • Turn on your hazard lights, switch off the engine, and open the trunk so other drivers can see that something is wrong.

Step 3: Get passengers out of the vehicle

  • Do not stay inside the car. Have everyone get out and move to a safe area such as a footpath or behind a guardrail.

Step 4: Set up a warning triangle

  • Place a warning triangle 100 to 200 meters behind your vehicle.
  • Before setting it up, always check carefully that no vehicles are approaching from behind.

Step 5: Report the breakdown and request a tow

  • Call 112 (police) to report the situation and help prevent a secondary accident.
  • If you have car insurance: Call your insurer’s hotline and request a tow.
  • If you are on an expressway without insurance: Contact the Korea Expressway Corporation Call Center at 1588-2504 by phone or text. They will arrange free emergency towing to the nearest rest stop, tollgate, or rest area. Free towing is available up to two times per year; after that, or for distances beyond the nearest safe facility, charges will apply. Please confirm the latest terms at 1588-2504 or your local Korea Immigration Service office before requesting the service.

When You Run Out of Fuel on an Expressway or in the City

Running out of fuel in a place with no petrol station nearby can be stressful. Do not worry; here is what to do.

  1. Follow Steps 1 through 4 from the breakdown section above to make sure you and your vehicle are safe.
  2. Confirm that all passengers are safe.
  3. If you are on an expressway: Contact the Korea Expressway Corporation Call Center at 1588-2504.
  4. If you have car insurance: Call your insurer and ask for assistance.

When You Are Involved in a Traffic Accident

If You Come Across an Accident Scene

  • Respond in a way similar to the breakdown procedures above.
  • First of all, check that everyone at the scene is safe.
  • If there are any injuries or casualties, call 119 (ambulance) or 112 (police) immediately.

If You Are Directly Involved in an Accident

1. Safety comes first

  • Check whether you yourself are injured, and confirm that everyone involved, whether they are the other driver or a passenger, is all right.
  • Do not leave the accident scene until the situation is resolved. Leaving without permission can be treated as a hit-and-run.

2. Move to safety if the scene is dangerous

  • If the scene is dangerous, move to a safe area such as behind a guardrail or onto a footpath.

3. Report the accident and contact your insurer

  • Minor accident (no injuries): Contact your insurance company.
  • Serious accident (injuries or casualties): Call 112 or 119 first, then contact your insurer afterward.

4. Document the scene

  • Take photos of the accident scene and the condition of the vehicles, or make written notes. You will almost certainly need this information later for insurance claims or to resolve any disputes.

5. Be careful about settling on the spot for minor collisions

  • It is generally better not to agree to an informal settlement before an insurance representative arrives. Injuries may become apparent later, or a dispute may arise that you did not anticipate.

6. Keep records of any medical treatment

  • If you receive medical treatment after the accident, hold on to those medical records. You may need them for insurance claims or future legal proceedings.

If you are a foreign resident and would like to understand the legal penalties that can apply after a traffic accident or violation, please also refer to Korean Laws and Penalties Foreign Nationals and Refugees Should Know.

When Your License Is Suspended or Revoked

Your driver’s license can be suspended or revoked if you accumulate too many demerit points through traffic violations, or if you are caught drink driving.

When a decision is made, a notice will be sent to your registered address. If your address cannot be confirmed, your name will be posted on the public notice board of the National Police Agency Traffic Civil Affairs 24 (eFine) website.

  • National Police Agency eFine website: https://www.efine.go.kr (Korean)
    • From the top menu, go to “Notice/Announcement,” then check “License Suspension Pre-Notice” or “License Revocation Pre-Notice.”

To avoid missing notices after you move, it is important to report any change of address straight away. Check the guide on How to Report a Change of Address Online via HiKorea (하이코리아) in advance so you are prepared.

If Your License Is Suspended

A suspension means you cannot drive for a set period of time. Once that period ends, you can drive again. Completing the Special Traffic Safety Mandatory Education and the On-Site Participation Education may reduce the length of your suspension period.

If Your License Is Revoked

Revocation means your license is cancelled entirely. After revocation, you must sit the tests again and obtain a new license from scratch.

The process for re-obtaining your license is as follows:

  1. Wait until the disqualification period has ended.
  2. Complete the Special Traffic Safety Mandatory Education.
  3. Re-sit the driver’s license examination.

How to Register for the Special Traffic Safety Mandatory Education

The education notice sent by the National Police Agency will tell you which education center to attend.

How to register

What to bring

  • Education fee
  • Identification (national ID card, passport, driver’s license, etc.)

Education fees (subject to change; please check the latest information at Safe Driving Integrated Civil Affairs before attending)

CourseFee
Drink driving course (divided into first-time, second-time, and third-time offender programs)Varies by program (check the website)
Course for non-drink-driving license suspension/revocation48,000 won

Related links

When You Need to Dispose of Your Vehicle

When you leave Korea or no longer need your vehicle, you have two options: scrapping it or selling it as a used vehicle.

Scrapping Your Vehicle

Scrapping must be done at a government-licensed scrapyard (관허폐차장). Using a licensed facility is the only way to receive a Vehicle Acceptance Certificate (폐차인수증명서) and complete the deregistration (말소등록), which is the process of officially removing the vehicle from the government register.

Documents required

  • Vehicle registration certificate
  • Identification (national ID card, passport, driver’s license, etc.)

You can find licensed scrapyard locations on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Transportation Safety Authority’s Car365 website, or on the Korea Automobile Dismantlers Recyclers Association (KADRA) website. Please confirm the latest information with 1345 or your local Korea Immigration Service office before proceeding.

Selling Your Vehicle as a Used Car

You can sell your vehicle to a used car dealer through an online platform or by visiting a dealership in person, or you can sell it directly to another private individual.

OrganisationLink
National Police Agency eFine (Traffic Civil Affairs 24)https://www.efine.go.kr
KoRoad Safe Driving Integrated Civil Affairshttps://www.safedriving.or.kr
KoRoad English websitehttps://www.koroad.or.kr/eng
Ministry of Government Legislation EasyLaw (Driving)https://easylaw.go.kr
Car365 (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport / Korea Transportation Safety Authority)https://www.car365.go.kr
Korea Expressway Corporation Call Center (Emergency Towing / Traffic Information)https://exservice.co.kr · Phone: 1588-2504
National Traffic Information Centerhttps://www.its.go.kr
Hi-pass (electronic toll system)https://www.hipass.co.kr
TBN Korea Traffic Broadcastinghttps://www.tbn.or.kr