Checked against official and published sources · Updated Nov 10, 2026
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Short answer: If you live in Korea with a residence card (ARC), you can swap your home driver's license for a Korean one at a Driver's License Examination Office. If your country or state has a reciprocal agreement with Korea, you only take a vision test and pay about ₩15,000–₩35,000, usually on the same day. If not, you must pass the written and driving tests. Bring your license, passport, ARC, an embassy certificate or apostille, an entry-exit record and three passport photos.
Can I just use an International Driving Permit? Visitors can drive with an IDP for one year from entry. If you live here longer, plan your exchange before the IDP runs out, because an IDP cannot be renewed in Korea.
Exchange or test? Check your country first
| Your license is from | What you need to do | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| A recognized country or state (133 on the April 2026 list) | Documents + vision test, no driving test | ₩15,000–₩35,000 |
| Not recognized (for example, some U.S. states such as California and New York) | Written test, functional test and road test | About ₩80,000–₩90,000 in fees, more with a driving school |
The recognized list changes. Check the current list with KoROAD (Korea Road Traffic Authority) or your embassy before you go.
Documents checklist
- Passport (original and copy)
- Residence card (ARC) (original and copy)
- Your original foreign driver's license (original and copy). It must be valid.
- Embassy certificate or apostille confirming your license, issued within the past year
- Entry-exit record (출입국사실증명서) showing you stayed at least 90 days in the issuing country after the license was issued. You can print it at a community service center or online.
- Three color photos, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, taken within 6 months. Since March 2026, offices strictly reject photos that do not meet passport standards.
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Step by step on the day
- Go to a Driver's License Examination Office (운전면허시험장), such as Seobu, Gangnam or Dongbu in Seoul, or the offices in Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Suwon and Ulsan.
- Fill out the application form at the foreign license counter.
- Take the vision test (about ₩6,000–₩7,000). Some offices also ask simple health questions.
- Submit your documents. Your foreign license is usually kept by the office and returned when you leave Korea.
- Pay the issuance fee (₩10,000 for a plastic card, ₩15,000 for one with a mobile license chip) and receive your Korean license.
Tips
- Call ahead. English support varies by office. Weekday mornings are less crowded.
- Get the apostille at home if you can. Embassy certificates in Seoul can take several days.
- Keep your entry-exit record handy. It is the document people forget most often.
- Renewal: A Korean license must be renewed periodically, so note the date printed on your card.
Frequently asked questions
Can I exchange my license on a tourist visa?
No. You need a residence card (ARC). Visitors should use an International Driving Permit issued in their home country.
Do I get my home license back?
Usually yes, when you leave Korea for good. Ask the office about the return process when you apply.
Can I rent a car with a Korean license?
Yes. Rental companies may also ask how long you have held a license, so keep proof of your original issue date.
Settling in? Read our guides to sending money abroad from Korea, cheap phone plans and heating bills.
Last checked: November 10, 2026. Rules, fees and the list of recognized countries can change; confirm with KoROAD or the license office before you go.
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