How To Get a Korean Driver’s License

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Korea International School

 

How To Get a Korean Driver’s License

How To Get a Korean Driver's License

Although many foreigners may be ambivalent about the idea of entering the sea of traffic and oblivious pedestrians with a motor vehicle, some may find it to be advantageous or even desirable to obtain a Korean driver’s license. Here is your guide to getting a driver’s license in South Korea so you too can sit in traffic and watch people jaywalk.

Note: All courses and tests are offered in English, but that does not necessarily mean that the staff will speak English. Be sure to contact your local examination office for more information.

There are three main ways of legally driving in South Korea:

Exchange of Foreign Driver’s License

International Driving Permit

Direct Application for Korean Driver’s License


1. Exchange of Foreign Driver’s License (3 steps)

How To Get a Korean Driver's License

If you have a valid driver’s license from another country, you may exchange it for a Korean driver’s license. This means that they physically take away your foreign driver’s license and give you a Korean driver’s license. If you want your original driver’s license returned to you, you must return your Korean driver’s license to them.

1. Documents

You will need to prepare several documents in order to begin this application process:

  • Original (foreign) driver’s license
  • Valid passport
  • Alien Registration Card
  • 3 color photo headshots (3cm x 4cm)
  • Documented validation of your foreign driver’s license from the issuing country/state.*
  • KRW12,500 if your country is on THIS list or W20,000 if it is not.

*As of January 1, 2013, the US Embassy no longer notarizes driver’s licenses. If your license is from the US, you must apply for an apostille from the issuing state office.
As of March 1, 2013, the UK Embassy in Korea no longer provides notarization. If your license is from the UK, you must submit an apostille instead.

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2. Aptitude Test

The Aptitude Test is basically a medical check and a written exam.
What you need:

  • Your foreign driver’s license
  • 3 color photo headshots (3cm x 4cm)
  • KRW7500 (processing fee)
  • KRW6000 (medical check)
  • KRW5000 (medical evaluation)

Where to go: Any regional examination office

If your country is on THIS list, you are EXEMPT from the written exam.

3. Receive your Korean driver’s license!

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International Driving Permit

If you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) from a country that is a part of (or recognizes) the Geneva Convention on Motor Traffic, then you may legally drive a motor vehicle in South Korea. However, the IDP is only good for 1 year. After that, you must obtain a Korean driver’s license in order to continue to drive legally.
The same rules apply to using your IDP in South Korea as anywhere else:

  • You must have your valid passport and original driver’s license on you while you operate a motor vehicle.
  • If your original driver’s license is suspended or expired, your IDP is no longer usable.

To see a list of the countries that issue and recognize the International Driving Permit, click here.

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Direct Application for Korean Driver’s License (7 steps)

How To Get a Korean Driver's License

This is a much longer and more complicated process that involves multiple steps.

1. Traffic Safety Education

The first step is passing the traffic safety education course. You may register for the class online or on-site and you will be assigned a time and date where the class will be held (must have a valid government issued ID like an Alien Registration Card). The class lasts approximately 1 hour and is free of charge.
What you need:

  • Valid ID

2. Health Check

You must receive a clean bill of health before continuing on. Most of the regional examination offices can perform the health check on-site. The fee is W6000 but you may also do a health check at any designated hospital.
What you need:

3. Written Exam

The written exam is a 40-question, pass/fail test with no time limit. If you fail, you may re-take the exam the following day. You must pass the exam within 1 year of your first attempt otherwise you must re-apply.
What you need:

  • 3 color photo headshots (3cm x 4cm)
  • Valid ID
  • KRW7500 (processing fee)

4. Driving Course Test

You must pass a driving test on a set course with a driving instructor. Part of this test is judged by a digital grading system, so you must make sure to follow the timing exactly or the system could fail you. The test includes basic use of the vehicle (operation of turn signals, windshield wiper, etc) and responding to emergency situations while driving). If you fail the test, you may re-take it 3 days after the date on which you failed. You must have passed the Written Exam and must pass the Driving Course Test within 1 year of passing the Written Exam.
What you need:

  • Valid ID
  • KRW18,000 (processing fee)

5. Obtain a Temporary Driver’s License

Once you successfully pass the Driving Course Test, you will be issued a Temporary Driver’s License. This license is valid for 1 year.
What you need:

  • Valid ID
  • KRW3500 (processing fee)

6. On-Road Driving Exam

The final step will be to take the On-Road Driving Exam where you will be tested in the various operations of the motor vehicle by an examiner and will have to demonstrate full competence in safe driving (this includes driving, parking, changing lanes, etc). If you fail the exam, you may re-take it 3 days after the date on which you failed. You must pass the On-Road Driving Exam during the period of time when your Temporary Driver’s License is still valid.
What you need:

  • Valid ID
  • Temporary Driver’s License
  • KRW25,000 (processing fee)

7. Receive Driver’s License!

Total cost: ~KRW60,000 (not including the cost of photos)

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Countries with a reciprocity agreement:

A number of countries have a reciprocity agreement where the Korean government accepts 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)
 Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Cook Islands, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Mongol, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Palau, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu, Vietnam
America
(22)
Antigua Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Commonwealth of Dominique, Rep. of Dominique, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Granada, Haiti, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent Grenadines, Uruguay, USA(Maryland, Virginia, Washington, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, Oregon, Michigan, Idaho, Alabama, West Virginia, Iowa, Colorado, Georgia)
※For Oregon and Idaho, you must take a simple written exam.
Europe
(37)
Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cypress, Czech Rep., Denmark, England, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine
Middle East
(12)
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq (Arbil), Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen
Africa
(34)
Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Rep., Chad, Comoro, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Basau, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland,Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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So you need an apostille…

Apostille_Ukraine

The process for applying for an apostille on an official document may differ from country to country. Here are a few places to help you get started.

For more detailed information, please visit KoROAD

Once you get your Korean Driver’s License you can finally enjoy Korea as you have never seen it! Check out our article about traveling around Jeju by car!