Exchanging a Foreign Driver’s License for Korean License
Pureum Law Office (PLO) receives numerous inquiries related to exchanging a foreign driver’s license for a Korean one. If you are unable to succeed with the steps outlined below, please get in touch or visit our office so we can help you get on ROK roads ASAP.
Using an International Driving Permit in South Korea
Before departing for Korea, it might be a good idea to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is a document that translates your driver’s license into numerous languages, including Korean. Until (or if) you are able to get a Korean driver’s license, an IDP is mandatory for foreigners to drive legally in South Korea. IDPs are valid for one year and you need to keep it with your [valid] foreign license.
Exchanging a foreign driver’s license for a Korean one
This is a relatively straightforward process in South Korea that is the same in most countries. Legally registered foreigners in Korea may apply for the issuance of a Korean driver’s license, but only if they a valid one from a recognized country. (If your license is from a nation that does not have a mutual recognition agreement with South Korea, you will need to take aptitude and written tests for a Korean license.) You must submit the following documents to a South Korea Driver’s License Test Center:
- Valid foreign driver’s license
- Apostilled copy of license or a Confirmation Certificate from relevant Embassy (not issued for nationals of the US, UK, Hong Kong, Finland, Netherlands, Columbia, etc.)
- Passport — n.b. if your license was issued by a third country, you must provide proof of long-term (90+ days) residency in that country
- Entry/Exit Records, which can be issued by a local Korean Community Center, District (Gu) Office, or Immigration Center
- Foreign Resident Card — formerly Alien Registration Card (ARC)
- Three color photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
- Issuance fee, depends on testing center, KRW10,000 and up
Apostilled Documents for Korean Driver’s License
It IS NOT possible to have foreign documents apostilled in South Korea, so if you cannot procure a Confirmation Certificate from your Embassy or Consulate in Korea, you will have to process an apostille for a driver’s license in the country of its origin. Note that these documents need to be issued in Korean or English by your country’s embassy in the Republic of Korea (ROK) or by the Korean embassy in the country that issued your license.
Korean Drivers License Test
If you are unable to complete the aforementioned, you can opt to take a Korean driver’s license test, which is relatively straightforward, but probably unlike the one you are familiar with, so be certain to study!
Drive Safe
