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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.
🙋 KOWORK Supports Your Life in Korea!
KOWORK isn’t just a job platform.
We provide visa, resume, interview, and lifestyle info—including driving licenses—to help foreigners live and work more easily in Korea.
