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45-4 · Vehicle registration, repair & dealing

Used Car Dealer Registration

To open a used car dealership, you must register an automobile trading business with the head of the city, county, or district office for each place of business under Article 53 of the Motor Vehicle Management Act. The registration standards are set out in Annex 21-5 of the Enforcement Rules of the same Act: an exhibition facility with a total floor area of at least 660㎡ (which may be relaxed by up to 30% when three or more dealers share one location) and an office attached to the exhibition facility or in the same building, and a provincial or large-city ordinance may add standards such as road frontage. After reviewing the application, the city, county, or district office sets a facility preparation period of up to 12 months for submitting proof of the right to use the premises and documents showing compliance with the standards, and once these are provided it issues a registration certificate with a business start date. Registration is not possible if a disqualification under Article 54 applies, such as being under adult guardianship or limited guardianship, being bankrupt and not reinstated, or less than one year having passed since a previous registration was cancelled.

HWANG YUNSANG ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICESONGDO · 37.3892° N / 126.6439° E
#Used Car Dealer Registration#Official check#45-4
🌐 Registration Requirements for a Motor Vehicle Trading Business (Used Car Dealership)
01

Procedure

Procedure

Procedure type
  • Registration Difficulty Medium

    The authority checks whether the statutory registration requirements, such as facilities, staff and capital, are met before issuing a registration certificate. Registration can be refused if the requirements are not met.

  1. 01

    Preliminary site review: Check the zoning district on the Land Use Planning Confirmation and the building use on the building register. For a knowledge industry center or collective commercial building, also check whether its management rules allow a car dealership.

  2. 02

    Calculating the exhibition area: The exhibition facility must have at least 660㎡ of floor area, excluding non-exhibition areas such as shared corridors, restrooms, stairs, and elevators. When three or more dealers share an exhibition hall, the per-dealer standard can be reduced by up to 30%, so decide the operating structure first.

  3. 03

    Office location and ordinance standards: The office must be attached to the exhibition facility or in the same building; if conditions such as walking access are met, a building within a 100-meter radius of the facility boundary is also allowed. Check whether the local ordinance has separate standards for road width or building use.

  4. 04

    Lease and document preparation: Once registration looks feasible, sign the lease with a special clause allowing termination without penalty if dealer registration is refused. Prepare the site location map, floor plan, and a business plan that includes required funds and staffing plans.

  5. 05

    Application and facility preparation notice: After you file the automobile management business registration application with the city, county, or district office, it reviews the standards and disqualifications and sends a notice setting the facility preparation period. If the facilities are not secured within that period without a justifiable reason, the notice is cancelled.

  6. 06

    Registration certificate and opening: When you submit proof of the right to use the premises and documents showing compliance, the trade name, representative, location, and land and building areas are entered in the register and a certificate with the business start date is issued. Staff must obtain a dealer employee card from the Korea Automobile Dealers Association federation, wear it, and complete the required training.

02

Filing route

Filing route

City, county, or district office with jurisdiction over the place of business (automobile-related department)

Confirm the current filing office, jurisdiction, and online availability on the official website.

Official check
Actual processing agencyCompetent Korean authority or official service
Statutory and policy authorityMinistry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Online routeGovernment24
03

Deadlines & processing notes

Deadlines & processing notes

Check deadlines and next steps against the notice, filing date, and any request for additional documents.Official check
04

Basic documents

Basic documents

Basic documents0 / 8

If you sign the lease and finish interior work before confirming that the exhibition area or building use meets the standards, your deposit and construction costs can be tied up, so check the site requirements before signing.

Scope of services

Scope of services

Hwang Yunsang Administrative Agent Office prepares and translates documents for administrative agencies, submits them on your behalf, and guides you through permit, application, and notification procedures. Services that require the principal’s personal appearance, principal’s application, or electronic signature may be limited in delegation.