If your license was revoked,
there are three ways to challenge it

First, an objection (review by the objection review committee)

Even if your license was revoked or suspended for drunk driving (officially “driving while intoxicated”), you can apply for a reduction if one of the following applies: (1) driving is an important means of supporting your family; (2) you have done traffic volunteer work as a model driver for 3 years or more; or (3) you caught a fleeing driver and received a commendation from a police station chief or higher. However, you are excluded if any of the following applies.

• Your BAC exceeded 0.1%
• You caused a traffic accident injuring someone while driving drunk
• You refused a police officer's breath test demand, fled, or assaulted the officer at the checkpoint
• You caused traffic accidents injuring people 3 or more times in the last 5 years
• You have driven drunk at any time since June 30, 2001

People whose licenses were revoked for exceeding penalty points or accumulated points can apply under similar conditions: no revocation in the last 5 years, fewer than 3 accidents injuring people, fewer than 3 prior suspensions, and no prior reduction.

Second, an administrative appeal

If you are not eligible for an objection or your objection was rejected, you file an administrative appeal. It must be filed within 90 days of learning of the decision and within 180 days of the decision itself. If you went through an objection, the period is counted again from the date you are notified of the result.

The appeals commission decides whether the action is excessively harsh by looking at what violation was committed and how serious it was, why you need to drive, your dependents, and your driving history and record of violations. Arguments that there was a problem with the testing procedure, or that you did not drive at all, are also made at this stage.

Third, an administrative lawsuit

Actions under the Road Traffic Act cannot be challenged in court unless you first obtain a ruling on an administrative appeal (Article 142). If the administrative appeal is dismissed, you file suit within 90 days of receiving the written ruling. We also consider whether you can apply for a stay of execution so that you can drive until judgment while the lawsuit is pending.

If the criminal case ends in acquittal

In a traffic accident or traffic violation case, if an acquittal becomes final, or the case ends in non-referral (the police decide not to send the case to a prosecutor) or non-indictment on the grounds of no suspicion or no crime, the police promptly cancel the administrative license action and delete the penalty points (General Standards, item (e) of Annex 28 of the Enforcement Rule). So contesting the criminal case itself is sometimes the surest way to get your license back.

Documents to prepare in advance

• Certificate of employment and business registration certificate, and a confirmation that driving is essential to your work (sales, delivery, travel between sites, etc.)
• Income records and evidence of dependents (family relations certificate, records of medical expenses, etc.)
• Reasons why commuting or working by public transportation is difficult (distance, working hours)
• A record of no accidents or violations, and a certificate of completing traffic safety education
• Petitions written by your workplace, family, and acquaintances

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

Written on the basis of Korean statutes in force (National Law Information Center, Ministry of Government Legislation) and court precedents as of October 20, 2026. Results may differ with amendments to the law or the facts of each case. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Written and reviewed by Attorney Dongwoo Shin — Ph.D. in Law; certified criminal law specialist and certified divorce law specialist registered with the Korean Bar Association. He handles each case personally from consultation to judgment. About the attorney →
Last updated October 20, 2026