Automobile-related illegal acts committed by foreign residents because they didn’t know

Foreign residents who drive cars in Korea may be subject to police investigations without realizing it for violating the law. The following three points should be carefully remembered and not be violated.

1. It is illegal to operate a ‘Depot Car!

If you purchase and drive a car owned by a corporation that has closed down or a car owned by a foreigner who has already left Korea and is not in Korea, the owner and the driver are different. Such a car is called a Depot car. Depot cars are not only easy to be abused as a means of illegal activities such as various crimes or tax evasion, but also cause serious damage to society, such as not being able to compensate for damage in case of a traffic accident due to uninsured driving.

Therefore, it should not be possible to purchase and operate a depot car just because it is cheap.

If you are caught driving a cannon truck, you will be fined up to 10 million won or less.

2. Penalty for not newly registering a car ownership!

If you have purchased a vehicle, you must apply for vehicle transfer registration at the vehicle registration office within 15 days from the date of purchase. If you do not apply for prior registration, a maximum penalty of 500,000 won will be charged.

If you do not pay the transfer fine even after being imposed, an investigation by an investigative agency will result in a crime of violating the Automobile Management Act, and you may be subject to criminal punishment such as imprisonment for not more than one year or a fine of 10 million won or less.

Usually, when you buy a car through a car dealer, you start with the registration of the transfer of ownership. If you buy and sell a car within your friends, you must remember to still go to the local government vehicle registration office and register the transfer of ownership.

3. Driving an uninsured vehicle is also illegal!

If the car owner does not purchase compulsory insurance, local governments impose a fine for negligence. Separately, if you are caught driving an uninsured vehicle on the road, you will be subject to criminal punishment such as imprisonment for not more than one year or a fine of 10 million won or less for violating the law.

Foreign residents should be more careful not to violate these regulations. It is enough to pay a fine of 500,000 won, but it can be a problem when you visit the Immigration Office to change or renew your visa later.

Source by Hwaseong City Hall / Reporter Hasung Song