South KoreaWhat is the punishment for driving without a licence?
In South Korea, driving without a valid driver's license is punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to ₩5 million.
What the Law Says
South Korean law strictly prohibits operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license. Violations are criminal offenses subject to imprisonment or fines under the Criminal Act and administrative penalties under the Road Traffic Act.
Under the Criminal Act, anyone who drives a motor vehicle without holding a valid driver’s license commits a crime punishable by imprisonment or a fine.
The Road Traffic Act reinforces this by imposing additional administrative sanctions, including license suspension or disqualification, even if no criminal prosecution occurs.
Penalties apply regardless of whether the driver has ever held a license before — driving without any license, with an expired license, or with a license suspended or revoked all fall under the same legal prohibition.
Statutory TextA person who drives a motor vehicle without holding a driver’s license shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than one year or a fine not exceeding five million won.
— Criminal Act, Art. 169 — Driving Without a License
Statutory TextA person who drives a motor vehicle without holding a driver’s license, or whose driver’s license has been suspended or revoked, shall be subject to administrative disposition such as suspension or disqualification of the right to obtain a driver’s license.
— Road Traffic Act, Art. 52 — Administrative Disposition for Unauthorized Driving
What to Do
Immediately stop driving if your license is expired, suspended, revoked, or never obtained.
Apply for a new or reinstated license through the Korea Driver’s License Examination Center (Korean: 한국운전면허시험원).
If charged, consult a licensed Korean attorney promptly — criminal penalties may be reduced or avoided with proper defense.
Keep official documentation (e.g., application receipts, medical certificates) if applying for license reinstatement.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.