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Q: What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers in South Korea?

0.03%. Since June 2019, South Korea's legal BAC limit is 0.03%, one of the strictest in the world. It was tightened from the previous 0.05% limit.

Q: When was the BAC limit in South Korea lowered from 0.05% to 0.03%?

June 2019. The BAC limit was lowered from 0.05% to 0.03% in June 2019 as part of stricter DUI enforcement measures known as the Yoon Chang-ho Law.

Q: What is the Yoon Chang-ho Law (윤창호법)?

A law that strengthened penalties for drunk driving, including lowering the BAC limit. The Yoon Chang-ho Law, named after a victim of a drunk driving accident, significantly strengthened DUI penalties and lowered the BAC limit to 0.03%.

Q: What happens if a driver's BAC is 0.08% or higher?

License is revoked, and criminal charges are filed. A BAC of 0.08% or higher results in immediate license revocation and criminal charges, with possible imprisonment of 1-5 years or fines up to 20 million won.

Q: What is the penalty for refusing a breathalyzer test in South Korea?

Criminal charges with imprisonment of 1-5 years or a fine up to 20 million won. Refusing a breathalyzer test in South Korea is treated as severely as having a high BAC. It can result in imprisonment of 1-5 years or fines up to 20 million won.

Q: What is the BAC limit in South Korea?

0.03% — one of the world's strictest, reduced from 0.05% in June 2019 under the Yoon Chang-ho Law (윤창호법). BAC 0.03–0.08%: licence suspension, up to 1 year imprisonment or fine up to KRW 5 million. BAC 0.08–0.2%: licence revocation, 1–2 years imprisonment or KRW 5–10 million fine. BAC 0.2%+: 2–5 years imprisonment or KRW 10–20 million fine. Refusing a breathalyzer is treated as BAC 0.08%+.

Q: What is the Yoon Chang-ho Law?

The Yoon Chang-ho Law (윤창호법) was enacted in June 2019, named after a 22-year-old KATUSA soldier killed by a drunk driver while on military leave in September 2018. It reduced the BAC limit from 0.05% to 0.03% and significantly increased penalties for drink driving — up to 5 years imprisonment and KRW 20 million in fines for causing injury while intoxicated.

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남구, Busan, South Korea

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Quick Reference

Test Questions

40

Pass Mark

60%

Minimum Age

18

License Fee

~70,000 KRW total

Source: KOROAD · Last updated: 2026-03-15

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What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers in South Korea?

Emergency Numbers

Police Emergency (경찰)112

Fire & Ambulance (소방/구급)119

Road Rescue (도로구원)1588-2504

Government Hotline (정부민원)120

Speed Limits

Urban (도심) — Reduced from 60 km/h in 2021

Rural (지방도로) — 60–80 km/h depending on road class

Highway (고속도로) — Minimum speed 50 km/h

Expressway (자동차전용도로) — Urban expressways 80 km/h

School Zone (어린이보호구역) — Double penalties for violations

Road Hazards

South Korea's massive delivery culture means thousands of delivery scooters and motorcycles operate …

Many Korean cities have extremely narrow alleyways (골목길) in older residential and commercial areas. …

Korean urban driving can be aggressive — frequent lane changes, tailgating, and last-second merges a…

The summer monsoon season (장마, June–July) brings intense rainfall causing flooding and reduced visib…

FAQ

How much does a South Korean driving licence cost?

The total cost for a Type 1 Ordinary (car) licence is typically KRW 500,000–1,000,000 (~$370–740 USD). This includes: driving school tuition KRW 400,000–800,000, written test KRW 10,000, driving course test KRW 25,000, road driving test KRW 30,000, licence issuance KRW 10,000, and health certificate KRW 5,000–10,000. Additional road driving lessons increase the total cost.

What is the South Korean written test format?

The written test (학과시험) for Type 1 Ordinary licence consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. You have 40 minutes. You must answer at least 28 of the 40 questions correctly (70% for Type 1). Topics include traffic laws, road signs, vehicle maintenance, driving ethics, and emergency procedures. The test is available in Korean, English, Chinese, and other languages.

What are the speed limits in South Korea?

Urban areas: 50 km/h (reduced from 60 in 2021 under Safe Speed 5030). School zones: 30 km/h. Rural roads: 60–80 km/h. Highways: 100–110 km/h. Expressways: 80–90 km/h. Trucks have lower limits on highways.

What is the BAC limit in South Korea?