South Korea 2026 Driving Rule Changes
Source Officielle: Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) / KOTSA
Dernière Mise à Jour: 1 février 2026
Résumé
South Korea introduces significant 2026 changes: stricter DUI penalties under the Yoon Chang-ho Act amendments, new autonomous driving regulations for Level 4 vehicles, expanded speed camera enforcement in school zones, and updated vehicle safety requirements.
Changements Clés
Stricter DUI Penalties and Enhanced Enforcement
En vigueur le 1 janvier 2026
0.03% BAC license suspension, 0.08% criminal
License suspension at 0.03% BAC; criminal charges at 0.08% BAC with fines up to KRW 10 million or 1 year imprisonment
Enhanced penalties at all levels
Criminal penalties at 0.08% BAC increased to KRW 15 million fine or up to 2 years imprisonment; repeat DUI within 10 years results in mandatory imprisonment; vehicle forfeiture for third offense
Source Officielle: Korean National Police Agency
Conseil du Moniteur
“South Korea continues toughening DUI laws following the Yoon Chang-ho Act. Repeat offenders within 10 years face mandatory imprisonment - no more suspended sentences. A third DUI can result in vehicle forfeiture. The 0.03% BAC threshold for license suspension remains one of the world's strictest.”
Level 4 Autonomous Driving Regulations
En vigueur le 1 juillet 2026
Limited AV testing permits
Autonomous vehicles operated under temporary testing permits with safety drivers required at all times
Level 4 AV commercial framework
Commercial deployment of Level 4 autonomous vehicles permitted in designated areas; safety operator not required in vehicle but remote monitoring mandatory; insurance and liability framework established
Source Officielle: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Conseil du Moniteur
“South Korea is among the first countries to allow Level 4 autonomous vehicles without a safety driver. Initially limited to designated areas like Sejong City and parts of Seoul. The vehicle manufacturer bears liability during autonomous operation. Know the difference between Level 3 (driver backup) and Level 4 (no driver needed in area).”
Expanded School Zone Speed Camera Enforcement
En vigueur le 1 mars 2026
30 km/h school zones with limited cameras
School zones (eorini boho guyeok) had 30 km/h limit but camera enforcement was inconsistent
Universal camera coverage in school zones
All school zones nationwide to have speed cameras and illegal parking detection by March 2026; fines doubled in school zones to KRW 120,000-130,000; penalty points tripled
Source Officielle: KOTSA Road Safety
Conseil du Moniteur
“Following the Minsik Act, school zone enforcement is now universal. Every school zone will have speed cameras and parking enforcement. Fines are doubled and penalty points tripled compared to regular roads. Always slow to 30 km/h when you see the yellow school zone signs.”
Advanced Vehicle Safety System Requirements
En vigueur le 1 janvier 2026
Basic safety features required
AEB and lane departure warning required on new passenger vehicles
Expanded ADAS requirements
All new vehicles must include AEB with pedestrian/cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention monitoring system
Source Officielle: Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute
Conseil du Moniteur
“Korea is expanding mandatory safety features beyond AEB. New vehicles must now include blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention monitoring. Know what these systems do for your driving test - they assist but don't replace safe driving habits.”
Changements par Catégorie
🚗Limitations de Vitesse(1)
Expanded School Zone Speed Camera Enforcement
En vigueur le 1 mars 2026
30 km/h school zones with limited cameras
School zones (eorini boho guyeok) had 30 km/h limit but camera enforcement was inconsistent
Universal camera coverage in school zones
All school zones nationwide to have speed cameras and illegal parking detection by March 2026; fines doubled in school zones to KRW 120,000-130,000; penalty points tripled
Source Officielle: KOTSA Road Safety
⚠️Sanctions & Amendes(1)
Stricter DUI Penalties and Enhanced Enforcement
En vigueur le 1 janvier 2026
0.03% BAC license suspension, 0.08% criminal
License suspension at 0.03% BAC; criminal charges at 0.08% BAC with fines up to KRW 10 million or 1 year imprisonment
Enhanced penalties at all levels
Criminal penalties at 0.08% BAC increased to KRW 15 million fine or up to 2 years imprisonment; repeat DUI within 10 years results in mandatory imprisonment; vehicle forfeiture for third offense
Source Officielle: Korean National Police Agency
🔧Équipement du Véhicule(1)
Advanced Vehicle Safety System Requirements
En vigueur le 1 janvier 2026
Basic safety features required
AEB and lane departure warning required on new passenger vehicles
Expanded ADAS requirements
All new vehicles must include AEB with pedestrian/cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention monitoring system
Source Officielle: Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute
📋Permis de Conduire(1)
Level 4 Autonomous Driving Regulations
En vigueur le 1 juillet 2026
Limited AV testing permits
Autonomous vehicles operated under temporary testing permits with safety drivers required at all times
Level 4 AV commercial framework
Commercial deployment of Level 4 autonomous vehicles permitted in designated areas; safety operator not required in vehicle but remote monitoring mandatory; insurance and liability framework established
Source Officielle: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Conseils du Moniteur
Re: Stricter DUI Penalties and Enhanced Enforcement
Conseil du Moniteur
“South Korea continues toughening DUI laws following the Yoon Chang-ho Act. Repeat offenders within 10 years face mandatory imprisonment - no more suspended sentences. A third DUI can result in vehicle forfeiture. The 0.03% BAC threshold for license suspension remains one of the world's strictest.”
Re: Level 4 Autonomous Driving Regulations
Conseil du Moniteur
“South Korea is among the first countries to allow Level 4 autonomous vehicles without a safety driver. Initially limited to designated areas like Sejong City and parts of Seoul. The vehicle manufacturer bears liability during autonomous operation. Know the difference between Level 3 (driver backup) and Level 4 (no driver needed in area).”
Re: Expanded School Zone Speed Camera Enforcement
Conseil du Moniteur
“Following the Minsik Act, school zone enforcement is now universal. Every school zone will have speed cameras and parking enforcement. Fines are doubled and penalty points tripled compared to regular roads. Always slow to 30 km/h when you see the yellow school zone signs.”
Re: Advanced Vehicle Safety System Requirements
Conseil du Moniteur
“Korea is expanding mandatory safety features beyond AEB. New vehicles must now include blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention monitoring. Know what these systems do for your driving test - they assist but don't replace safe driving habits.”
Sources & Méthodologie
Tous les changements de règles proviennent des agences gouvernementales officielles des transports et des publications légales. AutoviaTest est une plateforme éducative indépendante et n'est affiliée à aucune agence gouvernementale. Les règles peuvent être modifiées avant leur date d'entrée en vigueur.
Informations vérifiées le : 2026-02-01
Primary Sources:
- Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) / KOTSA — Official regulatory body
- Korean National Police Agency — Stricter DUI Penalties and Enhanced Enforcement
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport — Level 4 Autonomous Driving Regulations
- KOTSA Road Safety — Expanded School Zone Speed Camera Enforcement
Partner link – opens GetYourGuide.com
Prêt à réussir ton examen de conduite ?
Tout ce qu'il te faut pour réussir du premier coup
30+ Tests d'entraînement
Vraies questions d'examen
Tess Coach IA
Accompagnement personnalisé
16 Leçons
Apprentissage interactif
Suivi des progrès
Analyse des performances