How to get a driver license in Korea
- FLip Korea
- May 2, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: May 14
When you live for a while in a foreign country you may want to be comfortable driving your own car. And to do so in Korea is not that hard actually. Below we will tell you how you can get a new driver's license in Korea or how to exchange the one you already have.
There are a few ways you can get a driver's license in Korea:
Apply for a new one (in case you never had one before) (check it here)
Follow the steps below.
1. Traffic Safety Education
Traffic Safety Education is a prerequisite for taking the Written Exam and the courses are offered at all regional Examination Offices or at designated driving school locations. So, apply for the courses here.
2. Health Check
Fee at Examination Office: KRW 6,000 (fees vary for each hospital)
Health check rooms at all regional Examination Office
3. Apply for Written Exam
Application form, Valid ID (Valid Identification (ID)), color proto x 3 (designated size) (Standard Specifications for the Attached Color Photo)
Processing Fee Level 1,2 (regular) & Level 2 (small) KRW 7,500, Motorized KRW 5,000
4. Take Written Exam
Multiple-choice, short answer (total of 40 questions)
Exam Topics: types of driver’s licenses and their management knowledge basic to the operation and/or driving of a vehicle
5. Apply for Driving Course Test
Only people who have passed the Written Exam or people who have failed before and are re-taking the Test can apply for the Driving Course Test
Application form, Valid ID (Valid Identification (ID))
for persons using a representative to apply for the Test (ID of representative and signed Power of Attorney)
Processing Fee: Level 1,2 (regular) KRW 18,500 and Level 1 (large) KRW 17,000,
Motorized KRW 6,000 and Level 2 (small) KRW 7,500
6. Take Driving Course Test
Must pass the Driving Course Test and obtain a temporary license within 1 year of passing the Written Exam, persons who fail the Driving Course Test (including persons who took the test at driving schools), can retake the Driving Course Test after 3 days of the failure date.
7. Temporary Driver’s License Issued
A temporary Driver’s License is needed to practice driving in order to take the On-Road Driving Exam.
Persons applying for Level 1,2 (regular) who have passed the aptitude test, Written Exam, and the Driving Course Test
Processing Fee of KRW 3,500
8. Apply for On-Road Driving Exam
The Time and the Evaluator for the On-Road Driving Exam will be arbitrarily selected and assigned.
Application form with Temporary Driver’s License attached, Valid ID (Valid Identification (ID))
for persons using a representative to apply for the Exam, representative’s ID and signed Power of Attorney
Processing Fee KRW 25,000
9. Take On-Road Driving Exam
Please come to the assigned exam time and location to take the exam and you will be randomly assigned one of the exam courses A, B, or C.
10. Driver’s License Issued
A driver’s license will be issued when all requirements for each of the different types of driver’s licenses are successfully fulfilled.
A final certificate stating all requirements have been fulfilled, Processing fee of KRW 7,500, color photo x 3 (designated size) (Standard Specifications for the Attached Color Photo), Valid ID (Valid Identification (ID)), when using a representative and not coming in person, Representative’s IC and signed
Exchanging a Foreign Driver’s License (check it here)
You won't be able to drive in South Korea if you have a driver's license from another country. They do take your license from your native country if you choose this option. You can, however, reclaim it. Bring your flight information to the examination office and exchange your license if you want it back when you depart Korea. Just a reminder that you are not required to leave Korea permanently. Any time you have a leaving flight, you can walk in and acquire your original driver's license. Furthermore, you are not required to return it to the DMV when/if you return it. You simply keep your licenses at that moment.
Not possible to exchange the foreign license in the case of a short-term sojourner below 90 days without foreigner registration.
If you already have a valid license from another country, you may be eligible for a license exchange.
Eligibility
You must have a valid foreign driver’s license.
You must be a registered resident in Korea (i.e., hold an Alien Registration Card).
Steps
Prepare Required Documents:
Valid foreign driver’s license.
Korean translation of the license (notarized or issued by embassy).
Passport.
Alien Registration Card (ARC).
3 passport-sized photos.
Application form (provided at the licensing center).
Certificate of Entry and Exit (from immigration office).
Visit a Driver’s License Examination Office.
Locations include Seoul Gangnam, Seoul Seobu, Daejeon, Busan, etc.
Take a Written Test (for non-reciprocal countries only).
20-question multiple-choice test.
Some countries (e.g., USA, UK, Canada, Germany) may be exempt depending on reciprocity agreements.
You may need to take a written exam and a medical examination at this point in the process. Make sure to check out beforehand and to save yourself the effort of taking the test. You can check the countries with reciprocity agreements here. Here are the things you'll need to get ready.
Medical Check.
Simple eyesight and color blindness test, done at the licensing center.
Pay the Fees.
Typically around KRW 10,000–20,000.
Receive Your Korean Driver’s License.
Your foreign license may be returned or held (depending on country of origin).
Certificate of Facts Concerning Entry & Exit (from birth year to present).
Certificate of the Facts Concerning Entry & Exit and passport: Confirm the fact of staying i) over 90 days and ii) on the date of foreign license issuance through the Certificate and passport stamps
Prepare the documents:
a driver's license from another country
3 passport-size color photographs
7,000 KRW for the medical check and 7,500 KRW for the processing charge
The medical evaluation costs 5,000 KRW.
Use the international driver's license
Many tourists arrive in Korea with an International Driving Permit, but these are only good for short-term visitors. You will require a local license if you hold a resident visa of any kind. You can utilize an IDP, which is valid for up to a year if you are visiting Korea on vacation or on a short-term visa.
When driving a car, make sure you carry your passport, IDP, and foreign license with you.
Your IDP is no longer valid if your foreign license has already expired.
You can rent a car in Korea with your IDP if your main license has been valid for at least 1-2 years* (*depending on the company).
Locations:
Useful Tips
Language Help: Some centers and schools offer services in English, Chinese, or Vietnamese.
Study Materials: Check out KoROAD (Korea Road Traffic Authority) for materials and practice tests.
Embassy Help: Your embassy may assist with document translation and notarization.
We hope we could help you with the information on how a foreigner can take and use a driver's license in Korea.
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