Foreigners can take a driving test and obtain a driver’s license in Korea without becoming Korean citizens.

There are three main ways for foreigners to drive legally in Korea:

1. Obtain a new Korean driver’s license

2. Exchange a foreign driver’s license for a Korean license

3. Drive with a valid International Driving Permit or mutually recognized foreign license

1. Can Foreigners Take the Korean Driving Test?

Yes. International students and other eligible foreign residents can take the driving test administered in Korea and obtain a Korean driver’s license.

However, a foreign national generally cannot take the driving test if they:

• Are required to complete foreign resident registration but have not done so
• Are required to report their domestic residence as an overseas Korean but have not done so

People who are legally exempt from foreign resident registration may still be eligible.

This means that Korean citizenship or naturalization is not required. However, applicants generally need to have completed foreign resident registration or domestic residence reporting in Korea.

2. Minimum Age Requirements

The minimum age depends on the type of driver’s license.

Class 1 Large and Class 1 Special

Applicants must:

• Be at least 19 years old
• Have at least one year of driving experience with a motor vehicle, excluding motorcycles

Class 1 Ordinary, Class 2 Ordinary and Class 2 Small

Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

3. How to Obtain a New Korean Driver’s License

You can take the tests directly at a driver’s license test center or through an authorized driving academy.

The basic process is:

Traffic Safety Education
→ Physical Check-Up
→ Written Test
→ Driving Course Test
→ Learner’s Permit
→ On-Road Driving Test
→ Driver’s License Issuance

Step 1. Pre-Test Traffic Safety Education

You must complete traffic safety education before taking the written test.

Required item:

• Valid identification

Step 2. Physical Check-Up

You must complete a physical examination at a physical examination facility inside a driver’s license test center or at a hospital.

The following test centers do not have an on-site physical examination facility:

• Mungyeong
• Gangneung
• Taebaek
• Gwangyang
• Chungju
• Chuncheon

Applicants using one of these test centers must complete the physical examination at a hospital.

Step 3. Written Test

Required items:

• Application form
• Valid identification
• Three color photographs taken within the past six months
• Photo size: 3.5 × 4.5 cm

Step 4. Driving Course Test

Required items:

• Application form
• Valid identification

If you fail the driving course test, you can retake it after three days have passed from the date of failure.

Step 5. Learner’s Permit

Applicants for a Class 1 or Class 2 Ordinary license can receive a learner’s permit after passing both the written test and the driving course test.

Required items:

• Application form
• Valid identification

Step 6. On-Road Driving Test

Required items:

• Application form
• Valid identification

If you fail the on-road driving test, you can retake it after three days have passed from the date of failure.

Step 7. Driver’s License Issuance

Applicants for a Class 1 or Class 2 Ordinary license can receive their driver’s license after obtaining a learner’s permit and passing the on-road driving test.

For other types of licenses, the license may be issued after the applicant passes the required written and driving course tests.

4. Exchanging a Foreign Driver’s License for a Korean License

A foreign driver’s license alone does not normally allow you to drive in Korea.

However, if you have a valid driver’s license issued by an authorized institution in another country, you may apply to exchange it for a Korean driver’s license.

The basic exchange process is:

Document Review
→ Physical Check-Up and Written Test
→ Korean Driver’s License Issuance

During the document review, you may be required to submit an embassy confirmation and other supporting documents.

If your license was issued by a country that recognizes Korean driver’s licenses, the written test may be waived.

If any information or document is found to be insufficient during the review, you may be asked to submit additional documents.

People who may qualify for a partial exemption from the Korean driving test include:

• People registered as residents in Korea
• Foreign nationals who have completed foreign resident registration
• Foreign nationals who are legally exempt from foreign resident registration
• Recognized refugees
• Overseas Koreans who have reported their domestic residence in Korea

5. Driving with an International Driving Permit

If you enter Korea with a valid International Driving Permit or a mutually recognized foreign driver’s license, you may drive in Korea for up to one year from the date of entry.

Before driving, you should check whether your International Driving Permit or foreign license is recognized in Korea.

Information about recognized International Driving Permits and mutually recognized foreign licenses is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Overseas Safety Travel website.

Quick Summary

• Foreigners do not need Korean citizenship to obtain a driver’s license in Korea.
• Foreigners without a foreign license can take the Korean driving tests from the beginning.
• Foreign license holders may be able to exchange their license for a Korean license.
• The written test may be waived if the license was issued by a country that recognizes Korean driver’s licenses.
• A valid International Driving Permit or mutually recognized foreign license may be used for up to one year from the date of entry.
• Applicants taking the Korean driving test generally need foreign resident registration or domestic residence registration in Korea.

For detailed and updated information, visit the Korea Road Traffic Authority’s Safe Driving Integrated Civil Service website.

Korea Road Traffic Authority
https://www.safedriving.or.kr

Source: Easy Law Information for Foreign Students and the Korea Road Traffic Authority’s Safe Driving Integrated Civil Service