Getting a Driver’s License in Korea (2025): Everything You Need to Know

Hello!

This’s KOWORK, your career platform for foreigners in Korea.

If you're living in Korea, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually need to drive—whether it’s for work, weekend getaways, or just daily convenience.

At some point, you might find yourself asking:

“Do I need to get a Korean driver’s license from scratch?”
“Can I exchange my license from back home?”
“Is it okay to drive here with just an international driving permit?”

In this blog, we’ve broken everything down for you—from how to get a license in Korea, to using an international permit, and even how to exchange your foreign license.

we've also included the most updated info and estimated costs for 2025, so you'll know exactly what to expect!

🛣️ PART 1. How to Get a Korean Driver’s License (from scratch)

→ Part 1. Step-by-step guide for those getting a license from scratch in Korea.

If you are starting from zero, the usual process is as follows.

You can do it without a driving school, but if you’re not used to road driving, we recommend attending one.

Step 1. Aptitude Test + Physical Examination

Where: Driver’s License Exam Center or designated hospitals
Cost: About 6,000 to 8,000 KRW

Step 2. Written Test

Language support: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc.
Cost: 10,000 KRW

Step 3. Functional Test

Content: Basic operation skills test
Cost: 22,000 KRW

Step 4. Road Driving Test

Content: Actual road driving test
Cost: 25,000 KRW

License Issuance Fee

Cost: 7,500 KRW

🏫 Additional Cost if Enrolling in Driving School

Cost: 600,000 to 1,200,000 KRW
Includes: Functional & road driving lessons, car rental, reservation services, etc.

💰 Total Estimated Cost Summary

Option	Cost
Using Exam Center only	About 70,000 KRW
Including Driving School	About 700,000 to 1,300,000 KRW

🌍 PART 2. Conditions & Notes on Using an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Can you drive in Korea with just an international driving permit?

✅ It’s possible, but only under certain conditions!

Conditions for Using an IDP

Must be issued by a Geneva Convention member country
Must carry original license + international driving permit + passport
Valid only for short-term visitors (90 to 180 days)
❗ Not valid for long-term residents (holders of Alien Registration Card)

Cost to Get an IDP

Must be issued in your home country
Average cost: About USD $20 to 30 (around 25,000 to 40,000 KRW)
❗ Cannot be newly issued inside Korea

🌍 2. Getting an International Driving Permit in Korea (for driving overseas)

If you have a Korean driver’s license and want to drive abroad, you need to get an international driving permit issued in Korea.

📌 Eligibility

Holder of a Korean driver’s license
Alien Registration Card holder (legal resident)

📌 Required Documents

Korean driver’s license
Passport
One passport-sized photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
Alien Registration Card
Fee: 8,500 KRW

📌 Where to Apply

Any Driver’s License Exam Center nationwide
Some police stations (call ahead to check)

⏳ Validity

Valid for 1 year from issue date

⚠️ International driving permits are for short-term use only.

Long-term residents need to convert to a local license!

🔁 PART 3. Exchanging a Foreign License for a Korean License

Some countries have license exchange agreements with Korea.

In some cases, you can exchange your license without taking tests.

Required Documents

Valid foreign driver’s license
Notarized translation
Passport and Alien Registration Card
License authentication certificate (only for some countries)

May Require

Aptitude test
Written test (some countries exempt)

Fees

Item	Cost
Aptitude test	6,000 to 8,000 KRW
Written test (if applicable)	10,000 KRW
License issuance fee	7,500 KRW
Notarized translation	20,000 to 50,000 KRW

📌 Total estimated cost: About 40,000 to 70,000 KRW

(Cheaper if tests are waived)

📋 Summary Comparison: Which Method is Right for You?

Method	Description	Estimated Cost
Getting a license from scratch	Written → functional → road test	~70,000 KRW (no school)700,000–1,300,000 KRW (with school)
Using an international driving permit	Short-term residents only	~25,000–40,000 KRW
Exchanging a foreign license	Test exemption varies by country	~40,000–70,000 KRW

🚘 Final Tips

Tests are available in English, so don’t worry if your Korean isn’t fluent!
Check test schedules and practice tests on the Korea Road Traffic Authority website.
Whether to join a driving school depends on your confidence and skill.