Car Seat Laws in South Korea: What Every Family Needs to Know
Updated: Aug 25
South Korea has one of the most straightforward child restraint laws in Asia — but it is also one of the most narrowly drawn, and knowing exactly what it covers and what it doesn't is essential for families arriving at Incheon or Gimhae. The law changed significantly in 2019, enforcement has tightened, and the gap between what taxis are legally required to carry and what they actually have in the vehicle is something every parent needs to plan around before arrival.
The Legal Requirement
South Korea's child restraint rules are set out in Article 50, Chapter 5 of the Road Traffic Act (도로교통법), as amended in 2018 and enforced from 2019. Under this article, any child under 6 years of age must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system — an infant safety harness or child car seat — when travelling in a motor vehicle. The law applies to all private vehicles and rental cars throughout the country.
One important distinction from many European countries: South Korean law specifies age only — it does not set height or weight thresholds as legal requirements. The legal obligation ends at age 6. Safety authorities and the Korea Certification Laboratory (KCL) recommend extending restraint use to children under 36 kg or 145 cm in height, as standard adult seatbelts are designed for adult body proportions and do not fit smaller children correctly — but this is guidance, not statute.
The law does not prescribe specific seat types by statute, but safety practice and manufacturer guidance divides them by weight: rear-facing seats for infants up to 9 kg; forward-facing seats with harness for children from 9 to 18 kg; and booster seats for children from 15 to 36 kg. All seats should meet Korean certification standards or equivalent international standards such as ECE R44/04 or i-Size (R129). For the official text of the Road Traffic Act, see the Korea Law Information Center (MOLEG). The Korea Road Traffic Authority (KoROAD) also publishes child passenger safety guidance and the current traffic violation fine schedule.
How It Applies to Taxis
Taxis in South Korea operate under a de facto exemption from the child restraint requirement. While the Road Traffic Act does not create a formal, named taxi exemption in the same way as some European countries, enforcement against taxi passengers travelling without child seats is not applied in practice, and standard taxis are not required to carry or provide them. Children routinely travel in Korean taxis without restraints, and this is widely accepted.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has introduced a limited programme to equip some licensed taxis with child seats for children under 24 months, bookable through the city's taxi system. Outside of Seoul, and for children over 24 months, no equivalent service exists through standard taxis. Ride-sharing apps Kakao T and TADA offer car seat options in select vehicles, but availability is limited and cannot be relied upon without advance booking.
For families arriving at Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimhae International Airport (PUS) with young children, the practical reality is that a standard airport taxi will not have a seat fitted. Pre-booking a transfer where a certified seat is confirmed before pickup is the only reliable way to ensure your child is properly restrained from the moment you land.
How It Applies to Rental Cars
When you rent a car in South Korea, the taxi exemption does not apply. Full compliance with Article 50 of the Road Traffic Act is mandatory — any child under 6 years old must travel in a child restraint from the moment you leave the rental lot, whether that is at Incheon Airport, in Seoul, or anywhere else in the country.
Rental companies at major airports offer child seats as an optional add-on, but stock can run short during school holiday periods and the Chuseok and Lunar New Year travel seasons, when domestic road traffic peaks significantly. Always request the seat in writing at the time of booking, confirm the weight category appropriate for your child, and check the condition of the seat before accepting the vehicle. For infants, bringing your own seat from home guarantees fit, condition, and compatibility.
Fines and Penalties
Driving without a required child restraint for a child under 6 years old in a private or rental vehicle is a traffic violation under Article 50 of the Road Traffic Act. The fine is ₩60,000 (approximately €40 / $45 USD), issued under the Improper Children and Handicapped Protection Traffic Violation category. Korean traffic police conduct roadside checks and have authority to issue fines on the spot.
The fine amount is low relative to other countries, but enforcement has become more consistent since the 2019 amendments tightened the rules. For the current official fine schedule, refer directly to the Korea Road Traffic Authority (KoROAD).
Quick Reference
• Under 6 years old → child restraint system legally required in private and rental cars
• 6 years and older → standard adult seatbelt is legally sufficient (safety guidance recommends restraint use to 36 kg / 145 cm)
• Taxis → de facto exemption; child seats not required in practice and not routinely carried — pre book a transfer with a confirmed seat
• Rental cars → no exemption; full child restraint law applies from moment of collection
• Infants (up to 9 kg) → rear-facing seat recommended
• Toddlers (9–18 kg) → forward-facing seat with harness recommended
• Older children (15–36 kg, under 6 years) → booster seat recommended
• Fine for non-compliance → ₩60,000 (~€40)
FAQ
• Do I need a car seat for my child in a Korean taxi?
In practice, no — Korean taxis do not carry child seats and are not required to do so under current enforcement. The Road Traffic Act's child seat obligation effectively does not apply to taxis as they operate day-to-day. That said, Seoul has a limited programme for infants under 24 months, and Kakao T offers some vehicles with seats if booked specifically. For reliable availability at any airport, pre-booking a transfer with a confirmed fitted seat is the only dependable option.
• At what age can my child stop using a car seat in South Korea?
The legal requirement ends at 6 years old. South Korean law does not set a height or weight threshold — age is the only statutory criterion. Safety authorities recommend continuing to use a restraint until a child reaches 36 kg or 145 cm in height, since a standard adult seatbelt does not fit a smaller child correctly.
• What is the fine for not having a car seat in a South Korean rental car?
The fine is ₩60,000 (approximately €40 / $45 USD), issued under the Improper Children and Handicapped Protection Traffic Violation category of the Road Traffic Act. Officers can issue fines at roadside checks.
• Can I book a rental car with a child seat at Incheon Airport?
Yes — rental companies at Incheon (ICN) and Gimhae (PUS) offer child seats as an add-on. Request it in writing at the time of booking, confirm the weight category for your child, and check the seat's condition before you accept the vehicle. During Chuseok and Lunar New Year, availability can be limited, so confirming in writing and early is important.
• Can I book a taxi with a child seat for a Seoul airport transfer?
Yes. Taxibambino.com lets you specify the seat type — infant, forward-facing, or booster — when booking your transfer from Incheon or anywhere in South Korea. The seat is confirmed and fitted before pickup, removing the uncertainty of standard taxi options entirely.
This page is reviewed and updated regularly. For the most current official rules, always check your destination country's government transport authority.
South Korean law requires every child under 6 to be secured in an appropriate child restraint, with a fine of 60,000 KRW for non-compliance, and the recognised approval mark is KCC.
Taxis are generally exempt from that requirement — which is precisely the problem for visiting families, because standard taxis in Seoul, Busan, Incheon and Jeju almost never carry a seat, and the ride-hailing apps Kakao T and Tmap Taxi do not offer one as a default option. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has run programmes to fit some taxis with seats for children under 24 months, but coverage is limited and cannot be relied on at a rank.
Exemption removes the driver's duty; it does not change the physics. A seat approved to a recognised standard on rigid ISOFIX anchors holds its line where a belt-only fit works loose — particularly on the expressway run between Incheon (ICN) and central Seoul, and on the long stretches toward Busan or the Jeju coast road.
Space is the other constraint our drivers meet at the rank, which is filled largely with compact and mid-sized sedans: two bulky seats plus a stroller and the luggage already fills one, so a third child needing a restraint means booking a larger vehicle in advance.
Last updated: August 2026. Reviewed by Lija Scheiman, CEO, TaxiBambino Content Audit Team.
Travel Safely with Taxibambino
Knowing the law is one thing — having the right seat ready when you land is another. Taxibambino.com connects families with certified child-seat taxis and airport transfers in South Korea and 150+ destinations worldwide. Infant seats, forward-facing seats, and boosters for all ages, booked in advance so nothing is left to chance on arrival.
Book your taxi with child car seats → https://www.taxibambino.com
대가족으로 여행하시나요? 차량 목록 보기.