How To Get A Driver’s License In Korea
South Korea has one of the most convenient and reliable transportation systems in the world. Good for both locals and tourists, the Seoul Subway System is amazing, there are buses, city tour buses, and taxis will get you where you need to go in a moment’s notice.
If you want to get on the road and find some of those awesome hidden gems in Korea or hit the coast whenever you feel like it though, you’ll need to know how to get a driver’s license in Korea and then go and do it! Or maybe you just want to get a car and move around the country whenever you feel like it. Whatever your reason, you go and get that driver’s license in Korea. Here’s what you need to know about driving in Korea.
There are three ways to get a driver’s license here in South Korea:
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Keep in mind that some of these options listed above depend on if you are familiar with the driving rules in Korea. Anyone aged 18 and above are eligible to obtain a driver’s license in South Korea.
International Driving Permit
Many people come to Korea with an International Driving Permit, but it should be noted that these are only valid for short-term visitors. If you have any sort of resident’s visa, you will need to get a local license. If you are headed to Korea as a tourist or on a short-term visa, you can use an IDP which is valid for up to a year.
- Be sure to have your passport, IDP, and foreign license on you while driving a vehicle.
- If your foreign license already expired, your IDP isn’t valid anymore
- You can use your IDP when renting a car in Korea as long as your main license has been valid for 1-2 years* (*this depends on the company).
Exchange A Foreign License
You can’t drive in South Korea with your driver’s license from back home. For this option, they do take away your license from your home country. However, you can get it back. If you do want it back when you leave Korea, bring your flight information to the examination office and trade your license in.
Just a note, you don’t have to be leaving Korea for good. You can go in and get your original driver’s license any time you have a departing flight. On top of that, when/if you return, you don’t need to give it back to the DMV. At that point, you just get to keep your licenses.
First, you have to prepare several documents for this process.
- Original foreign driver’s license
- Original passport
- Alien registration card
- 3 passport-sized photos
- Apostille driver’s license: This means that you need to get the document certified at the state level because the US embassy no longer does apostille services
- Certificate of the Facts Concerning Entry & Exit (from birth year to the present)
- W12,000 if your country is on the reciprocity agreement list or W20,000 if it’s not. Don’t know if your country is on the list? Note: If you’re American, you’ll also want to check for your specific state as some states require a driving test whereas some just require the written test. They’re all listed in that link above.
Countries with a reciprocity agreement:
A number of countries have a reciprocity agreement where the Korean government to accept certain aspects of the license from your home country. Basically, if your country is on this list, you do not have to take the written exam. There may also be a slight difference in processing fees as well.
| Asia (25) |
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| America (22) |
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| Europe (37) |
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| Middle East (12) |
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| Africa (34) |
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Find the Nearest DMV: There is a list of the Driver’s License Examination Offices here.
Take the Aptitude Test and Medical Exam
For this step in the process, you may be required to do a written exam and medical test. Be sure to check the link (see the link above) and save yourself the trouble with taking the test. Here is what you’ll need to prepare:
- Foreign driver’s license
- 3 color passport size photos
- W7,5000 processing fee
- W6,000 for the medical check
- W5,000 for the medical evaluation
Once you pass the written exam congrats, you have your Korean driver’s license!
Note from Hallie:
I’ve taken the written test to exchange my Ohio driver’s license. If you have a driver’s license already, you’ll likely be able to pass without issue in one go. That said, you need to have some understanding of bad translations.
I took the test after years of living here so was pretty good at deducing what they “meant” with the questions. Still, I only passed by just passing. There are some weird questions that you probably knew when you took the test originally back home about how much a truck weighs, and how vehicles are classified, but you wouldn’t remember now.
Direct Application
If you like lengthy and complicated things or just don’t have your license from home or never got one originally, then this is your best option. Honestly, this should be your last resort because there are 7 steps involved in comparison to the last two ways previously mentioned above.
- Driver’s Education Course
- For the first step to getting your license by an application, you have to register for an in-person driving safety course.
- The class lasts for 1 hour and you must bring your photo ID with you to get into the class. The good news is, this class won’t cost you a dime.
- The class is a safety class and you watch a video. If you don’t understand Korean, ask for the English subtitles to be turned on as some of the answers to test questions will be given there.
- Medical Check
- Do you ever feel like every process in Korea involves some sort of health check? Well, that’s probably because it does, even for getting your license. You are required to get one either at the regional health examination office (it’ll cost you about 6,000won) or at the hospital. Whichever you prefer.
- Written Exam
- The third step out of seven is taking the written exam which consists of 40 questions with no time limit. This is a pass-or-fail situation but you can retake it the next day if you didn’t have any luck the first go around.
- Note: If you end up failing it again you have to pass it within the year or you have to do the application process over again.
- What do you need for this step? See the list below
- 3 color passport-sized photos
- Your ID
- W7,5000
- Driving Test
- So there are two driving tests that you’ll have to take for this process. This first one is with a driving instructor on a set course. It involves you proving that you can use the basic functions of a car such as your turn signals and windshield wipers.
- Keep in mind that there is a timer set for this test. If you don’t follow the time limit to the teeth, you could potentially fail. Essentially it’s a digitally graded exam.
- For this you will need:
- Your ID
- W18,000
- Temporary License
- If you made it to the 5th step it means that you passed the driver’s test. After that happens you receive a temporary license (similar to a permit in America). This will be valid for approximately 1 year.
- You will need:
- Your ID
- W3,500
- Road Exam
- This is the real deal driving test which you will have to prove to the driving instructor that you not only know how to use the car but also drive in various settings, and respond to emergencies.
- If you don’t pass it the first time, you can take it 3 days after the first try. Keep in mind that you need to pass it while your temp license is still valid.
- You will need:
- Your ID
- Your temporary license
- W25,000
Getting a license in Korea isn’t as annoying as it may seem, depending on the route that you take. If you are a long-term resident who is unfamiliar with the rules of the road. The lengthier process may be your best bet considering we’re talking about everyone’s safety on the road. If you are already familiar with driving in Korea, then maybe the exchange will work best for you. The important part is that you know you have options.
Have you taken the driver’s test in Korea? Let us know what it was like for you. Has anything changed since this post was written? Let us know the dates.
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25 Comments
Intungane SIMPLICE
I wanted to know if it was possible possible to drive around with the temporary licence while you wait to pass the raod test.
Hallie Bradley
I’m not sure about that. I didn’t know they give temporary licenses. You receive the card the same day you take the test if you pass. If you don’t pass, you have to go back to take a test again. There is no waiting period between testing and confirmation to get the card. It happens the same day.
Gord
Do they provide the cars for the driving tests, or do you provide your own?
Brian Small
I am colorblind- that wouldn’t be a problem in getting my license, would it?
Axel Pantelmann
I lost my Korean driver’s license about 6 months ago during my vacation but I’m now living in Canada. I need to get a new copy of my Korean driver’s license. What can I do to get it sent to Canada?
Hallie Bradley
I actually got my wallet stolen while abroad traveling and also have to get a new license. From what I’ve found, you need to go in person to present your ARC so they can confirm your identity before they’ll give you a new license in Korea.
Damian
I will apply for a Korean driving licence soon. Wish me luck!
Hallie Bradley
Good luck!
Oyisa
How did it go?
Monica
I just got my license in Korea and some of this info is outdated. The “medical check” is an on-site eye exam and is simple and easy to do. The course test is not with an instructor. There is a computer system that docks points when you make mistakes. There is a time limit of 60 minutes on the written exam – and it’s on the computer and available in many languages. And when you are issued a license, you can get English on the back for an extra 2,000won and it’s valid in 35 countries.
Crytstal
Hey, i just read your comment and found it really informative, can you tell me where you did ur driving exam? Cause im planning to take one too but don’t know what option is best
Olga
Do I need to trade in my Korean license to get my US license back when I leave Korea? If so, I won’t be able to keep both licenses then (contradictory to what was stated above).
Hallie Bradley
No you don’t have to exchange it. Nothing contradictory. Just show the staff at the DMV your flight ticket leaving Korea and they’ll give you back your US license. At which point you’d have both the Korean license and American license. If you were to return to Korea you’re not expected to return the US license so you can just keep both.
Olga
Gotcha! Thank you!
Dinh
Hello Hallie
Next month, i come to korea for travelling in 2 weeks. Can i take a driving test in international driving school?
As i know, from 2021 i muss have alien card to take a driving test in korea, right?
Thanks in advance for your anwser !!!
Hallie Bradley
If you’re just coming to visit as a tourist then it’d be best to bring your International Driver’s License along with your own country’s license and then you can drive without getting a local card. But yes, you would need a local ID if you plan to stay here and drive but you can’t be a tourist for that.
Blaise Anne Cahilog
Hi, I’ll be staying in Korea for a year this coming December. I have a student permit but not a driver’s license yet issued by my country (Philippines). I am planning to do the direct application in Korea instead. Is there a place you can recommend where I should get it? Thank you very much!
Hallie Bradley
I got mine at the Seobu office and I think the roads around it are large and easy to drive on if you have to do the driving part. I wouldn’t recommend Gangnam because traffic there is just a lot to handle. You can check out the options here: http://dl.koroad.or.kr/license/en/sub/dlExamOffice.jsp
Olaide
Hey! I live in Seoul and am from Nigeria . I have my local driver license from Nigeria but I don’t have have my alien card with me anymore but my stay in Korea still valid so I want to know if I can still change my Nigeria license to Korea so I can drive also I have international driver license. I have little baby which I need car to drive before I leave Korea in a year. Kindly advise
Hallie Bradley
Hi Olaide, If you’ve lost your ARC, you should first go to Immigration to get a new one then you’ll be able to take it with you to exchange your license. You’ll need it though, so make sure you get a new ARC when you can ASAP. ^^
Kyutae Kim
Can you rent a car with your temporary license?
Hallie Bradley
What is a temporary license?
Kavin
I want to exchange my India driving license before coming to Korea can it be done because at this moment I am in uk
Hallie Bradley
You want to exchange it with who? If you want to exchange it for a Korean license, you need to be in Korea. If you want to exchange it for a UK license, you’d have to figure it out there.
Khup Sang
Where is the address? And I would like to apply driver license. Are they open in the week day?