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Appeals against administrative dispositions

Ignition Interlock Conditional Driver's License in Korea: Who Must Get One and for How Long — Repeat Drunk Driving Without a License Included, Registration and 6-Month Inspections

A person who violates the drunk driving or breath test rules (Article 44(1), (2) or (5)) again within 5 years of a previous violation must obtain a conditional driver's license requiring an ignition interlock device in order to drive, if the license was revoked for the repeat violation or the person was driving without a license at the time (Road Traffic Act, Article 80-2(1), amended October 13, 2026). The device must be installed for the same length as the disqualification period applied to that person, counted from the day after the disqualification period ends (Article 80-2(2)), and during that period an ordinary license without the condition cannot be obtained (Article 82(2)10).

Written by Hwang Yunsang, Administrative Agent · Published 2026-10-25 · Updated 2026-10-25

Procedure

We will prepare an objection form and an administrative appeal request form for driver's license cancellation or suspension. Applications for suspension of execution are classified into separate types.

Scope & fee
Police-issued driver's license disposition objection only
We will review the license disposition and driving/living data of 1 driver and prepare an objection to the National Police Agency and a statement of reasons for reduction of sentence. administrative appeals and suspensions of execution are not included. Scope of writing: 1 type of driving history, livelihood, reason for reduction of penalty, 5 pages per type. It does not include in-office submissions.
Official fee source ↗
Administrative appeal merits petition; stay-of-execution application excluded
We will review the evidence of 1 license disposition and prepare a request for administrative appeal on the merits. It does not include applications for suspension of execution. Scope of preparation: 1 type of administrative appeal claim, 5 pages per type. It does not include in-office submissions.
Official fee source ↗
Administrative appeal and administrative appeal commission stay-of-execution request
We will prepare the merits of the administrative appeal for 1 license disposition and an application for suspension of execution by the Administrative Appeals Committee. It does not include court applications and appeals to the new Police Service. Scope of preparation: administrative appeal request form (1 type, 5 pages per type), Administrative Appeals Commission application for suspension of execution (1 type, per type), 5 pages per type. It does not include in-office submissions.
Stay-of-execution documents for an existing driver's license administrative appeal
We will review the records of the original case and emergency damage data that have already been filed and prepare an application for suspension of execution. It does not include filing of new merits and independent motions without merits. Scope of writing: Reasons for application for suspension of execution Type 1, 3 pages per type. It does not include in-office submissions.
Official fee source ↗
Include the objection request as well
We will prepare the National Police Agency objection, administrative appeal merits, and execution suspension documents for 1 license disposition to the extent of actual progress. Do not duplicate common documents. Scope of writing: National Police Agency objection statement (1 type/5 pages per category), reasons for requesting administrative appeal (1 type/5 pages per category), grounds for application for suspension of execution (1 type/type) (3 pages per category). It does not include in-office submissions.
Official fee source ↗

  1. 1. Check whether you are subject to the conditional license

    Check whether the repeat violation occurred within 5 years of the previous drunk driving violation, whether your license was revoked for the repeat violation, and whether at the time of the repeat violation you were also driving without a license (Article 43) or driving on an international permit during a disqualification period (Article 96(3)) (Road Traffic Act, Article 80-2(1)). The unlicensed driving criterion was added by the October 13, 2026 amendment and also applies to drunk driving (Article 44(1) and (2)) on or after October 25, 2024 and breath test obstruction (Article 44(5)) on or after June 4, 2025 (Addenda, Article 2). However, a person who had already been issued a driver's license before the amended Act took effect follows the previous rules (Addenda, Article 3).

  2. 2. Calculate the disqualification period and the device period

    If the license was revoked for drunk driving two or more times, the disqualification period is 2 years from the date of revocation (or from the date of the violation if you were unlicensed), and it is longer: 3 years for causing two or more drunk driving traffic accidents, and 5 years for a fatal accident or failing to take required measures after injuring someone (Road Traffic Act, Article 82(2)). The device period is the same length as this disqualification period and is counted from the day after the disqualification period ends (Article 80-2(2)). For example, if the disqualification period is 2 years, you may drive only with the conditional license for the following 2 years.

  3. 3. Complete the training and take the driver's license test

    Even after the disqualification period ends, you cannot obtain a license unless you complete the special mandatory traffic safety education required after a revocation (Road Traffic Act, Article 82(3)). A person seeking the conditional license must complete 1 hour of traffic safety education at the Korea Road Traffic Authority on how the ignition interlock device works and on preventing drunk driving before taking the written test (knowledge of laws and safe-driving inspection) (Article 73(6); Enforcement Decree, Article 38-3), and a conditional driver's license is issued upon passing the driver's license test (Article 85-3).

  4. 4. Install the device and apply for registration

    A conditional license holder must install an ignition interlock device in the vehicle and register it before driving (Road Traffic Act, Article 50-3(1)). Submit the Application for Registration (Change) of an Ignition Interlock Device (Individual) to the Korea Road Traffic Authority with the installation certificate and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate, and if an agent applies, also submit a letter of delegation and the agent's identification (Enforcement Rule, Article 33-5). If important details such as the device model or the vehicle identification number change, apply for change registration within 14 days (Enforcement Rule, Article 33-6).

  5. 5. Inspections and driving log submission every 6 months

    The registrant must have the device inspected for proper operation at the Korea Road Traffic Authority every 6 months from the registration date and submit the driving log at that time (Road Traffic Act, Article 50-3(6); Enforcement Rule, Articles 33-8 and 33-9). The inspection window is 31 days before and after the expiry date, and if the device fails, it must be re-inspected within 10 days of receiving the notice (Enforcement Rule, Articles 33-9 and 33-13). Once the device period ends, the condition lapses and you may apply to cancel the registration (Act, Article 85-3(4); Enforcement Rule, Article 33-7).

Required documents

  • Application for Registration (Change) of an Ignition Interlock Device (Individual) (Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act, Annex Form No. 17-2)
  • Ignition Interlock Device Installation Certificate (Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act, Annex Form No. 17-4)
  • Copy of the vehicle registration certificate (for a two-wheeled vehicle, a copy of the use report certificate; for construction machinery, a copy of the construction machinery registration certificate)
  • If the vehicle owner and the applicant differ, a copy of the owner's ID and the Ignition Interlock Device Registration Consent Form (Annex Form No. 17-5)
  • If an agent applies, a letter of delegation and the agent's identification
  • Driver's license test application (Annex Form No. 42-2 for Class 1 Ordinary and Class 2)
  • Certificate of traffic safety education before the conditional license test (Annex Form No. 28-5)
  • Records of previous drunk driving dispositions and the license revocation notice (to check eligibility and the disqualification period)

Fees

Administrative service fee
  • Police-issued driver's license disposition objection only from KRW 600,000
  • Administrative appeal merits petition; stay-of-execution application excluded from KRW 600,000
  • Administrative appeal and administrative appeal commission stay-of-execution request from KRW 700,000
  • Stay-of-execution documents for an existing driver's license administrative appeal from KRW 500,000
  • Include the objection request as well from KRW 1,100,000
All administrative service fees exclude 10% VAT.

The driver's license test fee, education fee and the cost of installing the ignition interlock device are separate out-of-pocket costs. Our office fee starts from the amount shown above and may vary depending on the complexity of the violation history, whether the revocation is being challenged, and the scope of the registration application we handle; we will give you an exact quote after reviewing your documents.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

  • Road Traffic Act, Article 43
  • Road Traffic Act, Article 50-3
  • Road Traffic Act, Article 73
  • Road Traffic Act, Article 80-2
  • Road Traffic Act, Article 82
  • Road Traffic Act, Article 85-3
  • Road Traffic Act, Article 93
  • Road Traffic Act, Article 94
  • Road Traffic Act, Article 148-3
  • Road Traffic Act, Article 152
  • Road Traffic Act, Article 160
  • Road Traffic Act, Addenda (Act No. 22067), Articles 1 to 3
  • Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act, Article 38-3
  • Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act, Annex 6
  • Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act, Articles 33-5 to 33-13
  • Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act, Article 57
  • Administrative Appeals Act, Article 27

Checked against the statutes on

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

  • An objection to a license revocation must be filed with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan or Provincial Police Agency within 60 days of receiving the disposition, and an administrative appeal must be filed within 90 days of learning of the disposition (Road Traffic Act, Article 94; Administrative Appeals Act, Article 27), so decide within these deadlines whether to challenge the revocation that makes you subject to the conditional license.
  • Even with the device installed, you must keep the registration valid and meet the 6-month inspection schedule every time you drive, and driving without registration or in a vehicle without the device will also lead to revocation of the conditional license (Road Traffic Act, Article 93(1)21 to 23). If you share a family vehicle, first confirm that the device is installed and registered in that vehicle.

Frequently asked questions

Do I always have to install an ignition interlock device after two drunk driving offenses?
You are subject to the conditional license if you violated again within 5 years and your license was revoked for that violation or you were unlicensed at the time. If the repeat violation occurred more than 5 years after the previous violation, you are not covered by Article 80-2(1) of the Road Traffic Act. If you are covered, you may drive only a vehicle with the device installed for the same length of time after the disqualification period ends.
I drove drunk while unlicensed. Am I subject to the conditional license?
Yes, since the amendment of October 13, 2026. A person who drives drunk again within 5 years while also driving without a license (Article 43) must also obtain the conditional license, and this applies to drunk driving violations on or after October 25, 2024 (Road Traffic Act, Addenda, Article 2). However, a person who had already been issued a driver's license before the amended Act took effect follows the previous rules (Addenda, Article 3).
How many years must the ignition interlock device be installed?
For the same length as the disqualification period applied to you. If your license was revoked for drunk driving two or more times, the disqualification period is 2 years, so the device is installed for 2 years from the day after that period ends (Road Traffic Act, Article 80-2(2) and Article 82(2)6). If you caused two or more accidents, or a fatal accident or failed to take measures after injuring someone, the disqualification period extends to 3 to 5 years and the device period is extended accordingly.
Can I get an ordinary driver's license during the device period?
No. The device period is a disqualification period for all licenses other than the conditional license (Road Traffic Act, Article 82(2)10), so only the conditional license can be obtained during that period. When the device period ends, the condition is deemed to have lapsed (Article 85-3(4)).
What happens if I drive a car without the device on a conditional license?
Your license will be revoked and you face criminal penalties. Driving a vehicle without the device or with a device that does not meet installation standards is punishable by up to 1 year of imprisonment or a fine of up to 3,000,000 won (Road Traffic Act, Article 152, Item 1-2), and driving without registration is also a ground for license revocation (Article 93(1)21 and 22). Dismantling or tampering with the device is punishable by up to 3 years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 30,000,000 won, and having someone else blow into the device to start the vehicle is punishable by up to 1 year of imprisonment or a fine of up to 3,000,000 won (Article 148-3).
What is the fine for missing an ignition interlock device inspection?
A fine from 100,000 won up to 5,000,000 won is imposed depending on how long the inspection or log submission is overdue (Road Traffic Act, Article 160(1)9; Enforcement Decree, Annex 6). It is 100,000 won for up to 3 days, with 100,000 won added for every additional 3 days, and if the inspection is overdue by more than 30 days the Korea Road Traffic Authority may cancel the registration ex officio (Enforcement Rule, Article 33-7(3)).
Can an administrative agent handle the conditional license paperwork?
Yes. Hwang Yunsang Administrative Office checks from your violation history and disposition notices whether you are subject to the conditional license and how long the disqualification and device periods are, and prepares and submits the Application for Registration (Change) of an Ignition Interlock Device to the Korea Road Traffic Authority on your behalf. If there are grounds to challenge the license revocation for the repeat violation, we prepare and submit the objection and the administrative appeal petition on your behalf; the outcome is decided by the responsible authority and commission.

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Hwang Yunsang Administrative Office in Songdo, Incheon prepares and submits administrative documents and explains the procedure. If your situation is similar, send us a message.

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This guide is general information based on public sources. Requirements, documents and deadlines differ by case and by the competent agency, so please confirm them before you proceed.