The Living Ocean and Coast Geomun-do, Yeosu-si The Location of EXPO 2012 YEOSU KOREA jeollanam-do the Land of Green

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player

print

Driver’s license

International Driver's license

Holders of a driver's license issued from a country that recognizes a Korean driver's license are exempted from all the tests, except for the physical examination.

Korea is party to an agreement of the Geneva Convention. As such, Korea recognizes international licenses from other nations also under this agreement. Since January 2002, international licenses from the following nations mentioned in the tip box are valid. The countries listed in the Tip Box are under agreement of the Vienna Convention.

International licenses are valid for one year. Upon expiration, the international license cannot be renewed but instead must be converted to a Korean license. Foreigners from countries that recognize the Korean driver’s license are exempt from all tests, but must take a physical exam. For a list of countries that recognize the Korean driver's license visit

http://www.dla.go.kr/english/02_news/news01.jsp
Foreigners from countries that do not recognize a Korean driver’s licenses are required to take the written and physical exams. The written test for foreigners consists of 20 multiple choice questions available in English, Chinese and Korean.

Asia, Oceania(18) Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan
Americas(15) Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Paraguay, Republic of Dominica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, U.S.A., Venezuela
Europe(31) Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Vatican City, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Georgia, Turkey, England, Serbia
Middle East,Africa(29) Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Central African Republic, Senegal, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Kingdom of Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, Republic of South Africa, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Sierra Leone, Niger, Uganda, Zimbabwe

Exchanging a Foreign license

Foreigners with a driver’s license may exchange their license for a Korean license. However, there are several conditions that apply: First, those with a visitor’s visa or without a proper residence card cannot apply for a license.Second, you must provide a full license.

Those with temporary, provisional, probationary, permit, certificate, or motorcycle licenses cannot exchange them for a Korean license. Those without a proper license must go through the process of applying for a new license in Korea. Lastly, those with licenses issued from a country other than their home country must provide proof of residency in that country for 90 days or more. You must prepare the following documents to apply for your Korean license.

  • Applicants must hand in their foreign driver’s license before being issued a Korean license in exchange. When it’s time for you to leave Korea, you can have your foreign driver’s license returned by surrendering your Korean license and showing your passport and airline ticket.
  • Embassy certificate:
    Foreigners with a license issued from the following countries are not required to provide an embassy certificate. (U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Belgium, Poland and Italy).
  • Translated and notarized copy with issue date & validity period must be included with the copy
  • Passport.
  • Alien registration card.
    * note : those without a registration card must wait until they are issued one to proceed with their application for a driver's license
  • Three photos (3 cm x 4 cm).
    Physical exam: 5,000 won
    License: 6,000 won.

Foreigners can exchange their driver's license for a Korean one at the Drivers' License Agency in the Seoul Global Center (3rd floor, Press Center)

  • Tel. 82-2-1688-0120

They can also get an international driver's License at Seoul Global Center. For those wishing to report an address change on their international license, if the international license was not issued in Korea then the address change cannot be made here.