Vehicle Deregistration Procedure — Scrapping, Export Deregistration, Recognition of Loss and Clearing Seizures

Procedure

1. 1. Check the ground for deregistration and the deadline

   Decide the ground for deregistration, such as scrapping, export or loss, and check the application deadline. Both scrapping and export deregistration must be applied for within 1 month from the date the cause arises, and for export deregistration you report to the registration office whether the export was carried out within 1 year from the date of deregistration.

2. 2. Clear seizures and arrears

   If there are interested parties, such as the holder of a seizure or mortgage, in principle you must obtain their consent or have the seizure released first before you can deregister (scrapping itself is possible). However, for a seized vehicle that has exceeded the vehicle age standard and has no realizable value, or a vehicle destroyed in an accident or fire, you can apply for deregistration without a letter of consent. If there are several seizures, request release from each seizing agency, and pay motor vehicle tax and administrative fines in full.

3. 3. Prepare documents for each ground

   For export deregistration, apply with documents proving the planned export, such as an export contract or an export letter of credit, and apply under authorization from the export company. For scrapping, obtain a certificate of acceptance for scrapping, and return the 2 license plates.

4. 4. Recognition of loss (when the vehicle cannot be found)

   If the vehicle no longer exists because of disposal at an unlicensed scrapyard, loss, complete destruction by fire, long-term theft or a similar reason, apply for recognition of loss. It usually takes 25 to 40 days to be issued, and after receiving the certificate of recognition you apply for deregistration.

5. 5. Apply for deregistration and confirm

   Apply for deregistration at the competent registration office and confirm the result with a certificate of deregistration. If bills keep arriving after export, first check whether the deregistration was missed.

Required documents

• Application for vehicle deregistration
• Vehicle registration certificate and 2 license plates
• Certificate of acceptance for scrapping (scrapping), or documents proving the planned export such as an export contract or an export letter of credit (export)
• Owner's ID, or a letter of authorization and a certificate of seal impression (when an agent applies)
• Documents confirming release of seizures, and confirmation of payment of motor vehicle tax and administrative fines
• Certificate of recognition of loss (when the ground is loss)

Fees

The registration and license tax and the deregistration fee are small amounts charged separately. The office's fee for handling deregistration starts at 120,000 won, and varies because the scope of work increases when there are several seizures or recognition of loss is needed. We will review the registration ledger and advise you on the fee after a consultation.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Motor Vehicle Management Act, Article 13
• Motor Vehicle Management Act, Article 84
• Motor Vehicle Registration Decree, Article 31
• Motor Vehicle Registration Decree, Article 32
• Motor Vehicle Registration Rules, Article 37

Checked against the statutes on 2026-09-30

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 administrative fine is imposed if 1 month passes from the date the ground for deregistration arises.
• If there are several seizures, each agency must release its own seizure separately, so check the registration ledger first.

Frequently asked questions