South Korea

What is the fine for using a mobile phone while driving?

₩60,000
Fine (general)
₩70,000
Fine (commercial)
10 pts
Penalty points
30 days
License suspension (3rd offense)
The Short Answer

In South Korea, the fine for using a mobile phone while driving is ₩60,000 for general drivers and ₩70,000 for commercial vehicle drivers.

What the Law Says

South Korean law strictly prohibits using a mobile phone while driving, including holding or operating it without a hands-free device. Violations carry fines and penalty points under the Road Traffic Act.

Under the Road Traffic Act, drivers must not hold or operate a mobile phone while operating a motor vehicle. This includes texting, calling, browsing, or using apps — even at traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic.

The law distinguishes between general and commercial drivers: higher fines apply to drivers of buses, taxis, trucks, and other commercial vehicles.

Each violation adds 10 penalty points to the driver’s record. Accumulating 40 points within 1 year leads to license suspension; three violations within 1 year trigger automatic 30-day suspension regardless of total points.

Statutory Text

No person shall use a mobile communication device while driving a motor vehicle, except when using a hands-free device.

— Road Traffic Act, s. 50-2 — Prohibition of Mobile Phone Use While Driving
Statutory Text

A person who violates paragraph 1 shall be punished by a fine not exceeding 700,000 won: provided that, in the case of a driver of a commercial motor vehicle, the fine shall be 700,000 won; and in other cases, 600,000 won.

— Road Traffic Act, s. 162 — Penalty

What to Do

1

Stop using your phone completely while driving — even with hands-free, minimize distractions.

2

If you must make or take a call, pull over safely and park before using your phone.

3

Report lost or stolen phones immediately to prevent unauthorized use linked to your license.

4

Check your penalty point balance annually via the Korea Road Traffic Authority (KoRTA) website or app.

Sources

statuteRoad Traffic Act, s. 50-2 — Prohibition of Mobile Phone Use While DrivingstatuteRoad Traffic Act, s. 162 — Penalty

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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.