Driving in Korea
Driver’s license
International driving permit
As of January 1, 2002, a driver with an international driving permit issued by a Geneva Convention member country can drive in Korea. The period is a year from the date of entry. As Korea is a member of the Geneva Conventions, it’s acceptable to drive for 1 year from the date of entry with an international driving permit issued from other members of the Geneva Convention.
Furthermore, driving with a valid international permit issued by members of the Vienna Convention has been allowed from January 1st, 2002 and the valid period is the same 1 year from the entry date.
- It is possible to drive in member countries of the Geneva Conventions, using an international driving permit issued by the Korean authority
- It is possible to drive in Korea, using an international driving permit issued by member countries of the Geneva & Vienna Conventions
* Members of the Geneva Convention and Vienna Convention can be found on the website of Road Traffic Authority
Exchange of foreign driver's license
Classification | Description | |
---|---|---|
Required documents (D-8, F-3 holder) |
D-8 visa holder |
1. Foreign driver’s license
2. Certificate of entry and exit and passport (original; license issuance or renewal date shall be included.)
3. Alien registration card (original) or domicile registration card (original)
4. Embassy confirmation of driver’s license, or APOSTILLE
5. Three passport-sized color photographs (3.5cm × 4.5cm)
6. Physical test sheet
7. Issuance fee: KRW 7,500
|
D-8 visa holder and his/her accom- panying family members |
①~⑦ and certificate of alien registration (original) of D-8 visa holder
|
|
Fee |
Physical test fee (as decided by clinics), driver’s license issuance fee |
|
Notice |
|
Method of obtaining Korean driver’s license
The procedure by which a foreigner who has never had a driver’s license in his/her home country is issued a new driver’s license in Korea is the same as that for Koreans.
Procedure for obtaining license

Penalty
In the case of a traffic law violation or traffic accident, a certain score is imposed according to the degree of violation and extent of damages and, when the total score reaches a certain level, the driver’s license can be canceled or suspended. For penalties from violation of law and from traffic accidents, check KoROAD’s home page.
Traffic accidents
It is advised that a foreign driver, in anticipation of any possible traffic accident situation, shall carry phone numbers of his/her Korean colleagues or attorney, car insurance company, and his/her embassy at all times. It is also important to carry a camera that can record the site of accident. Where an accident occurs, the driver shall immediately park the car on the edge of road near the site of accident. Call 119 (no prefix) to request ambulance vehicles. Report of the accident to the police shall be made within 3 hours in urban areas and 12 hours in other areas. When reporting to the police, the driver can visit a police station himself/herself, call the police, or have another person call the police (call 112 with no prefix). Also, he/she shall immediately notify the car insurance company of necessary information including time and place of accident, degree of damages, the circumstance of accident, evidence, and eyewitness. To avoid any unjustified liability or punishment because of damage to evidence, it is recommended that the driver shall consult the insurance company for advice.
Online
consultant

- Road Traffic Authority
- KIM Min Ji Authority Investment Cooperation Officer
- 02-3497-1052
- kmj0629@kotra.or.kr
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