How to Register a Hearse Business in Korea: Special Passenger Transport Business Registration Standards and Garage Area

Procedure

1. 1. Confirm the business scope and vehicle type

   A special passenger transport business carries funeral participants and bodies (including remains) under a single transport contract, with no fixed route and the whole country as its business area (Enforcement Decree of the Passenger Transport Service Act, Article 3(2)(b)). The vehicles allowed are special-purpose vans or passenger cars, divided into general hearses and coffin-only hearses (Enforcement Rule, Annex 1).

2. 2. Check the minimum vehicle count and the local ordinance

   Under Annex 3 of the Enforcement Rule, the minimum is one or more vehicles in every metropolitan city, city, and county. However, a city or province ordinance may adjust the minimum count for this business, and if only one vehicle is registered the ordinance may exempt the business from keeping an office, so check the ordinance where the main office is located before buying a vehicle.

3. 3. Secure a garage of the right location and size

   The garage must in principle be owned, but a long-term lease of another person's land or a contract to use part of a parking lot for two years or more is accepted, counted from the date the lease is submitted to the authority. The garage must be in the metropolitan city, city, or county of the main office or branch, or in an adjoining one. The minimum area per vehicle is set by the authority within 36 to 40 square meters for large vans, 23 to 26 for medium vans, 15 to 17 for small vans, and 13 to 16 for passenger cars.

4. 4. Check disqualifications and prepare the business plan

   Confirm that neither the representative nor any corporate officer falls under the disqualifications of Article 6 of the Act, such as an adult ward, an undischarged bankrupt, less than two years since serving a prison sentence for violating the Act, or less than two years since cancellation of a registration. The business plan states the name and location of the main office and branches, the type, number, seating capacity, model and model year of the vehicles, and the location and capacity of the garage and support facilities (Enforcement Rule, Article 22(2)).

5. 5. File the application and prepare for operation

   Submit the registration application on Form No. 9 with the business plan and proof of ownership or right to use the garage land to the competent authority. After registration, register the vehicle as a commercial vehicle using the registration certificate, and operate in line with the hearse rules in Annex 4 of the Enforcement Rule, such as loading the coffin from outside, fully separating the coffin compartment, and installing heating.

Required documents

• Passenger transport business registration application (Enforcement Rule of the Passenger Transport Service Act, Form No. 9)
• Business plan (main office and branches, vehicle type, number, seating capacity, model and model year, garage and support facility location and capacity)
• Proof of ownership or right to use the garage land (a lease of two years or more if leased)
• Layout showing the garage location and area per vehicle (if requested by the authority)
• Existing corporation: list of officers' names and resident registration numbers, and a copy of the general meeting or board resolution on the application
• Corporation to be established: notarized articles of incorporation, list of promoters' names and registration numbers, and statement of share subscription or capital contribution
• Proof of right to use the office (where the ordinance requires an office or branch)
• Letter of authorization (when an administrative agent files on your behalf)

Fees

Generally in the range of tens of thousands to several hundred thousand won in the industry. We quote after consultation based on the number of vehicles, whether the garage is leased, whether a corporation must be set up, and the local office standard. Government fees and vehicle registration costs are separate.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Passenger Transport Service Act, Article 3
• Passenger Transport Service Act, Article 4
• Passenger Transport Service Act, Article 5
• Passenger Transport Service Act, Article 6
• Enforcement Decree of the Passenger Transport Service Act, Article 3
• Enforcement Decree of the Passenger Transport Service Act, Article 4
• Enforcement Rule of the Passenger Transport Service Act, Article 22
• Enforcement Rule of the Passenger Transport Service Act, Article 23
• Enforcement Rule of the Passenger Transport Service Act, Annex 1
• Enforcement Rule of the Passenger Transport Service Act, Annex 3
• Enforcement Rule of the Passenger Transport Service Act, Annex 4
• Enforcement Rule of the Passenger Transport Service Act, Form No. 9

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-16

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

• Check the minimum vehicle count and office standard in the ordinance of the city or province of the main office before buying a vehicle or signing a garage lease.
• A garage lease must have two years or more remaining from the date the contract is submitted to the authority, so extend a short lease before applying.

Frequently asked questions