Mud splashed over the plate numbers, a bike rack hiding the rear plate, or a sticker put there on purpose — Korea’s Motor Vehicle Management Act treats these differently. Article 10(5) bars anyone from covering a registration plate or making it hard to read, and from driving a vehicle in that state. Doing it on purpose is a crime; otherwise it is a fine. We read the Act and Annex 2 of its Decree as written.
1. Covering a plate on purpose carries up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won. That is article 81 item 1-2. Removing a plate without permission carries the same penalty (item 1).
2. Even unintentionally, driving with a covered plate starts at a 500,000 won fine. It is 500,000 won the first time, 1,500,000 won the second and 2,500,000 won from the third (statutory ceiling 3 million won).
3. If a bike rack hides the plate, apply for an accessory plate. Article 10(7) puts the duty to apply on the owner.
The ban — article 10(5) and (6)
Motor Vehicle Management Act article 10(5) No one shall cover a registration plate or make it difficult to read, nor drive such a vehicle.
Paragraph 6 extends this to making, importing, selling or supplying devices designed to cover plates or make them hard to read. Article 52 applies paragraph 5 to motorcycles too.
On purpose or not — criminal penalty or fine
| Act | Sanction | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Covering a plate or making it hard to read on purpose | Up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won | Art. 81 item 1-2 |
| Making, importing, selling or supplying covering devices | Up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won | Art. 81 item 1-3 |
| Removing a plate without permission | Up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won | Art. 81 item 1 |
| Covering or obscuring a plate, or driving such a vehicle (not on purpose) | Fine of up to 3 million won | Art. 84(3)2 |
Fine amounts — Decree Annex 2
| Breach | 1st · 2nd · 3rd or later | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Covering or obscuring a plate, or driving such a vehicle | 500,000 · 1,500,000 · 2,500,000 won | Annex 2, 2(g) |
| Driving without a plate (except temporary-permit plates) | 500,000 · 1,500,000 · 2,500,000 won | Annex 2, 2(f) |
| Not applying to refit a plate that fell off or became hard to read | 100,000 won | Annex 2, 2(e) |
Higher tiers apply to the same breach fined within the last year (Annex 2, 1(b)). Minor carelessness or error, or efforts to correct the breach, allow up to a one-half reduction, but not while a fine is in arrears (1(e)). Intentional cases under article 81 item 1-2 are excluded from the fine line.
If a plate falls off or becomes unreadable — article 10(3) and (4)
Owners must apply to the provincial governor to refit a plate that falls off or becomes hard to read (para. 3), and a vehicle without its plate may not be driven (para. 4). Not applying to refit falls in the 100,000 won line.
Bike racks — article 10(7)
Where an external device set by ministerial ordinance, such as a bicycle carrier, hides the plate, the owner must apply for an accessory registration plate. Paragraphs 1 to 6 apply to accessory plates too, so driving with the plate hidden and no application may count as “driving a covered vehicle” under paragraph 5.
Checklist
- ☐ Check the plate after washing or snowy roads — if it is hard to read, the car may not be driven
- ☐ Bike racks and trailers — apply for an accessory plate
- ☐ Plate stickers, covers and tilt devices — may be banned devices under paragraph 6
- ☐ Plate fell off? Apply to refit it
Questions that remain
Is mud that hid the numbers a finable breach?
Article 84(3)2 treats non-intentional cases as fines. The article has no separate exclusion for dirt, so driving with a plate that is hard to read can fall within it. Reduction for minor carelessness is in Annex 2.
Can I take the plate off and keep it?
Article 10(2) bars removal except with the provincial governor’s permission, temporary removal by a repair shop on its premises, or special provisions in other laws. A breach falls under article 81 item 1.
Sources
- Motor Vehicle Management Act [in force 16 Jun 2026] [Act No. 21817] — original text (checked 30 September 2026). Source for article 10(2) to (7), article 52 (motorcycles), article 81 items 1, 1-2 and 1-3 (1 year, 10 million won), article 84(3)1 and 2 (up to 3 million won) and article 84(4)3.
- Enforcement Decree of the Motor Vehicle Management Act — Annex 2, standards for fines, general standards 1(b) and 1(e) and individual standards 2(e), (f) and (g).
Where to check further
- Refitting plates and accessory plates — the city, county or district vehicle registration office.
- Other car fines — late inspection · lapsed compulsory insurance.
Written on 30 September 2026. Articles and annexes are from the National Law Information Center; the tables are ours.
