Seoul City Strengthens Administrative Sanctions for Missed Vehicle Inspections from the 14th...Fine Doubled to 600,000 Won

Operation suspension for uninspected vehicles, possible forced deregistration if not complied
Inspection validity check and SMS alert service available via Korea Transportation Safety Authority website

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City will strengthen administrative sanctions on vehicles that fail to undergo regular and comprehensive automobile inspections, in accordance with the revised "Automobile Management Act" effective from the 14th.

Every year, Seoul City imposes fines on approximately 90,000 vehicles that do not comply with the automobile inspection deadlines. This reinforcement of sanctions aims to reduce the number of uninspected vehicles and create a safer traffic environment by preventing traffic accidents.

Under the newly enforced revised law, the amount of fines for delayed automobile inspections will be doubled. Additionally, if a vehicle owner fails to comply with the inspection order for more than one year, the vehicle will be subject to a driving suspension. Continued operation without compliance may result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW, and sanctions will be strengthened to allow for the vehicle’s compulsory deregistration.

If the inspection delay period is within 30 days, the fine will increase from the previous 20,000 KRW to 40,000 KRW, and the additional fine imposed every three days from the 31st day will rise from 10,000 KRW to 20,000 KRW. The maximum fine for delays exceeding 115 days will increase from 300,000 KRW to 600,000 KRW. Previously, if the automobile inspection order was not followed, only the vehicle’s license plate could be confiscated, but now the vehicle must be ordered to stop operation, and violation of this order may lead to compulsory deregistration of the vehicle.

Automobile inspections are regulations designed to prevent traffic accidents caused by vehicle defects and to protect citizens’ lives and property. Vehicle owners are required to undergo inspections. Private vehicles must be inspected four years after new registration and then every two years thereafter, while commercial, passenger, and freight vehicles must be inspected once a year or every six months depending on the vehicle type and age.

Baek Ho, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, stated, “Automobile inspections are an important system that prevents vehicle defects in advance and contributes to the safety of both drivers and citizens. Please adhere to the inspection deadlines to avoid disadvantages and participate in creating a safe traffic environment.”